Barcode reader which obtains operating instructions from a remote server

ABSTRACT

A barcode reader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system includes a communication interface, non-volatile memory comprising first executable code, volatile memory, and a processor. The processor executes the first executable code to utilize the communication interface to obtain second executable code from a remote configuration server. The processor also loads the second executable code directly to the volatile memory and executes the second executable code to commence operation of the barcode reader.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/304,794, titled “Providing Operating Instructions For A BarcodeReader From A Server,” filed Jun. 13, 2014, with inventors Mark Ashby,George Powell, Ryan Hoobler, Ming Lei and Steve Pierce.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to barcode readers. Morespecifically, the present disclosure relates to providing operatinginstructions for a barcode reader from a server.

BACKGROUND

Known barcode readers include firmware stored in non-volatile memorywhich, upon power-up is loaded to volatile memory (RAM) as executablecode. A processor executes the executable code from RAM for operatingthe barcode reader. The firmware may include an operating system (e.g.,Linux®), drivers for the hardware components such as the image sensorarray and communication hardware, a decoder, and formatting/routinginstructions (i.e., instructions for parsing, formatting, and routingdecoded data) (collectively, referred to as operating instructions).

In a first known configuration, the firmware stored in non-volatilememory includes the components of the operating instructions, at leastsome of which include position independent code. In this configurationeach component of the firmware may be loaded to RAM at address spacedetermined by a hardware or software virtual memory manager such that,once loaded to RAM, the instructions can be executed by a processor incombination with the hardware or software memory manager.

In a second known configuration, the firmware stored in the non-volatilememory may include a RAM image. The RAM image includes all portions ofthe operating instructions compiled as a unified block of machine codeinstructions which is loaded within predetermined physical address spacesuch that internal address links align with physical address locationswithin the RAM and the unified block of machine code instructions may beexecuted without use of a memory manager for address translation.

In either known configuration, part of the firmware may include a remoteupgrade system. The remote upgrade system may be part of the executablecode and it enables upgrade of the firmware.

In more detail, known remote upgrade systems will obtain an upgrade fileand store the upgrade file in storage. In the first configuration theupgrade file may be a .zip or similar file which includes multiple fileswhich are intended to replace the multiple files of the then existingfirmware. In this configuration the upgrade system writes each new fileto non-volatile memory in replacement of an existing file.

In the second configuration the upgrade file may simply be a binaryobject which is intended to replace the unified block of machine codeinstructions. In this configuration the upgrade system writes the binaryobject to non-volatile memory in replacement of the existing unifiedblock of machine code instructions.

In either configuration, when writing the new file(s) to non-volatilememory is complete, the unit undergoes a re-boot which loads the newfile(s) from non-volatile memory to the RAM for execution—with theeffect being that the new file(s) replace the old files within the RAM.

There are at least two problems with these known configurations. First,flash memory is expensive and writing to flash memory is slow. Second,updating any of the firmware, decoder, formatting/routing instructions,and other executable code requires re-flashing the reader. This can be alogistical problem in an environment with many readers that should havethe same version of the firmware, decoder, formatting/routinginstructions, etc.

SUMMARY

A barcode reader may include one or more advancements in the manner inwhich its software and/or firmware are updated and/or installed. Thebarcode reader may have various hardware components such as anillumination system, an imaging system, an input control linked to oneor more user input devices, a display, a wireless LAN interface, and/ora point-to-point interface. These hardware components may be connectedto a system package via hardware circuits. The system package may alsohave a processor, volatile memory, and non-volatile memory.

The non-volatile memory of the reader may store an ID parameter to betransmitted to a configuration server, the address of the configurationserver (or a redirect server that can provide the address of theconfiguration server or another redirect server), and optionally,various executable files such as an operating system and a bootsequence. The boot sequence may contain fetch instructions and/orcommunication control instructions that enable the reader to transmitthe ID parameter to the configuration server and receive the operatinginstructions.

The barcode reader may receive operating instructions selected frommultiple versions of the operating instructions stored on aconfiguration server remote from the barcode reader. The proper versionof the operating instructions may be determined based on the IDparameter transmitted to the configuration server by the barcode reader.Each version of the operating instructions may be associated with one ormore ID parameters so that the proper version of the operatinginstructions is transmitted to the reader. The various versions of theoperating instructions may be designed to satisfy different hardware,decoding, routing, and/or formatting requirements applicable to readersin a variety of circumstances.

The executable code may be loaded directly into the volatile memory,without first being loaded into the non-volatile memory. This may bedone by obtaining the operating instructions as a RAM image that can becopied directly into the volatile memory. This may help to enhance thesecurity of the reader by ensuring that the operating instructionsreceived from the configuration server are the operating instructionsused by the reader, and may further expedite the process of preparingthe reader for use.

The operating instructions may be loaded at a location in the volatilememory that begins at a start address identified or stored in thenon-volatile memory or in a header of the operating instructions. Thismay enable proper operation of the operating instructions in aposition-dependent memory environment.

In some embodiments, where the reader has a virtual memory manager orother component capable of supporting position-independent memoryallocation, no such address need be provided. The physical location ofthe operating instructions within the volatile memory may be determinedby the virtual memory manager.

Optionally, the operating instructions may be executed directly afterthey have been loaded in the volatile memory, without requiring thereader to be rebooted, powered off, and/or powered on. As anotheroption, an operating system for the reader may be stored in theoperating instructions received from the configuration server. Thereader may be unable to scan barcodes and/or carry out other computingtasks until the operating instructions have been received, loaded intothe volatile memory, and executed. These options may provide furtherenhancements to the security of the reader.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a barcodereader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system. Thebarcode reader may include an image sensor for capturing an image of abarcode within a field of view, a communication interface, volatilememory, non-volatile memory including an identification parameter andfirst executable code, and a processor. The processor may be configuredto execute the first executable code to utilize the communicationinterface to provide the identification parameter to a configurationserver and receive second executable code from the configuration server.The second executable code may include instructions for formatting androuting the decoded data. The second executable code may be selectedfrom multiple distinct versions of second executable code based on theidentification parameter. The processor may further be configured toload the second executable code to the volatile memory and execute thesecond executable code to format the decoded data and route theformatted decoded data to the remote computing system.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may receive the secondexecutable code from the configuration server and execute the secondexecutable code without rebooting.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may execute the firstexecutable code in response to a configuration event.

Alternatively or additionally, the second executable code may beselected from the multiple distinct versions of the second executablecode based on requirements for formatting the decoded data. Therequirements may be associated with the identification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the second executable code may beselected from the multiple distinct versions of the second executablecode based on requirements for routing the decoded data. Therequirements may be associated with the identification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader further may includeillumination elements for illuminating the field of view. Thenon-volatile memory may further include instructions for driving theillumination elements to illuminate the field of view and for drivingthe image sensor to capture the image of the barcode within the field ofview.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-volatile memory may furtherinclude an address of the configuration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-volatile memory may furtherinclude an address of a redirect server. The processor may execute thefirst executable code to provide the identification parameter to theredirect server and receive an address of the configuration server fromthe redirect server.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a barcodereader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system. Thebarcode reader may include a communication interface, volatile memory,non-volatile memory including first executable code, and a processor.The processor may be configured to execute the first executable code toutilize the communication interface to receive second executable codefrom a configuration server. The second executable code may includeinstructions for formatting and routing the decoded data. The processormay further be configured to load the second executable code directly tothe volatile memory without the second executable code being loaded intothe non-volatile memory, and execute the second executable code toformat the decoded data and route the formatted decoded data to theremote computing system.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader is not rebootedbetween (i) receiving the second executable code from the configurationserver, and (ii) executing the second executable code.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor is also configured todetect the occurrence of a configuration event from a set of definedconfiguration events, and execute the first executable code in responseto detecting the configuration event.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-volatile memory may furtherinclude an identification parameter. The processor, executing the firstexecutable code, may further utilize the communication interface totransfer the identification parameter to the configuration server. Thesecond executable code may be selected from multiple distinct versionsof second executable code based on the identification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the second executable code may beselected from the multiple distinct versions of the second executablecode based on at least one of: (i) requirements for formatting thedecoded data that are associated with the identification parameter, and(ii) requirements for routing the decoded data that are associated withthe identification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further haveillumination elements for illuminating a field of view and an imagesensor for capturing an image of a barcode within the field of view. Thenon-volatile memory may further include instructions for driving theillumination elements to illuminate the field of view and for drivingthe image sensor to capture the image of the barcode within the field ofview.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-volatile memory may furtherinclude an identification parameter and an address of the configurationserver. The processor may execute the first executable code to utilizethe address of the configuration server to establish a connection withthe configuration server, transfer the identification parameter to theconfiguration server, and receive the second executable code from theconfiguration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-volatile memory may furtherinclude an identification parameter and an address of a redirect server.The processor may execute the first executable code to utilize theaddress of the redirect server to establish a connection with theredirect server, provide the identification parameter to the redirectserver, receive an address of the configuration server from the redirectserver, utilize the address of the configuration server to establish aconnection with the configuration server, provide the identificationparameter to the configuration server, and receive the second executablecode from the configuration server.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a barcodereader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system. Thebarcode reader may include a communication interface, volatile memory,non-volatile memory including an identification parameter, a bootsequence and a start address, and a processor. The processor may beconfigured to execute the boot sequence to provide the identificationparameter to a configuration server and receive executable code from theconfiguration server based on the identification parameter, load theexecutable code to the volatile memory at a location that begins at thestart address, and execute the executable code.

Alternatively or additionally, the start address may align withaddresses that are referenced internally in the executable code suchthat the executable code is executable immediately upon being loaded tothe volatile memory at the location that begins at the start address.

Alternatively or additionally, after the barcode reader is powered up,the barcode reader may be incapable of providing the decoded data to theremote computing system prior to executing the executable code receivedfrom the configuration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may not be rebootedbetween (i) receiving the executable code from the configuration server,and (ii) executing the executable code.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further include animage sensor for capturing an image of a barcode within a field of view.The executable code may include instructions necessary to drive theimage sensor to capture the image.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further include animage sensor for capturing an image of a barcode within a field of view.The executable code may include a decoder, which may be instructionsexecuted by the processor to obtain the decoded data from the image ofthe barcode captured by the image sensor.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable code may includeinstructions for formatting the decoded data and routing the decodeddata to the remote computing system.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable code may be selected frommultiple distinct versions of executable code based on theidentification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable code may be selected fromthe multiple distinct versions of the executable code based onrequirements for specific decoder functions that are associated with theidentification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable code may be selected fromthe multiple distinct versions of the executable code based onrequirements for formatting the decoded data that are associated withthe identification parameter.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a barcodereader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system. Thebarcode reader may include a communication interface, volatile memory,non-volatile memory including an identification parameter and a bootsequence, and a processor. The processor may be configured to executethe boot sequence to provide the identification parameter to aconfiguration server and receive executable code from the configurationserver based on the identification parameter. The executable code mayinclude a header that indicates a start address for the executable code.The processor may further be configured to load the executable code tothe volatile memory at a first location that begins at a first addressdifferent than the start address, determine the start address for theexecutable code by reading the header within the executable code, andload the executable code to a second location within the volatilememory. The second location may begin at the start address. Theprocessor may further be configured to execute the executable code.

Alternatively or additionally, the first address may not align withaddresses that are referenced internally in the executable code suchthat the executable code is not executable upon being loaded to thevolatile memory at the first location that begins at the first address.The start address may align with the addresses that are referencedinternally in the executable code such that the executable code isexecutable immediately upon being loaded to the volatile memory at thesecond location that begins at the start address.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be incapable ofproviding the decoded data to the remote computing system after power-upof the barcode reader and prior to executing the executable codereceived from the configuration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable code may include anoperating system of the barcode reader. The barcode reader may not beable to read a barcode until the processor executes the executable code.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may not be rebootedbetween (i) receiving the executable code from the configuration server,and (ii) executing the executable code.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further include animage sensor for capturing an image of a barcode within a field of view.The executable code may further include instructions necessary to drivethe image sensor to capture the image.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further include animage sensor for capturing an image of a barcode within a field of view.The executable code may include a decoder, which may be instructionsexecuted by the processor to obtain the decoded data from the image ofthe barcode captured by the image sensor.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable code may includeinstructions for formatting the decoded data and routing the decodeddata to the remote computing system.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable code may be selected frommultiple distinct versions of executable code based on theidentification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable code may be selected fromthe multiple distinct versions of executable code based on requirementsfor specific decoder functions that are associated with theidentification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable code may be selected fromthe multiple distinct versions of the executable code based onrequirements for formatting the decoded data that are associated withthe identification parameter.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a barcodereader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system. Thebarcode reader may include a communication interface, volatile memory,non-volatile memory including a boot sequence, and a processor. Theprocessor may be configured to execute the boot sequence to utilize thecommunication interface to receive executable code from a configurationserver, load the executable code to the volatile memory, and execute theexecutable code to commence operation of the barcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may execute the bootsequence in response to the barcode reader being powered up.

Alternatively or additionally, after the barcode reader is powered up,the barcode reader may be incapable of providing the decoded data to theremote computing system prior to the barcode reader executing theexecutable code received from the configuration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-volatile memory may not includean operating system for the barcode reader. The executable code mayinclude the operating system for the barcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may not be rebootedbetween (i) receiving the executable code from the configuration server,and (ii) executing the executable code.

Alternatively or additionally, addresses specified within the executablecode may be based on a reference address. The non-volatile memory mayfurther include a virtual memory manager. The processor may beconfigured to execute the virtual memory manager to (i) determine anoffset between the reference address and a memory address at which thebeginning of the executable code is located, and (ii) apply the offsetto each address specified within the executable code.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable code may be loaded to alocation in the volatile memory that begins with a start address. Thestart address may align with addresses that are referenced internally inthe executable code such that the executable code is executableimmediately upon being loaded to the volatile memory.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further include animage sensor for capturing an image of a barcode within a field of view.The executable code may include instructions necessary to drive theimage sensor to capture the image.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further includeillumination elements for illuminating a field of view. The executablecode may include instructions necessary to drive the illuminationelements to illuminate the field of view.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further include animage sensor for capturing an image of a barcode within a field of view.The executable code may include a decoder, which may be instructionsexecuted by the processor to obtain the decoded data from the image ofthe barcode captured by the image sensor.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable code may includeinstructions for formatting the decoded data and routing the decodeddata to the remote computing system.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-volatile memory may furtherinclude an identification parameter. The processor, executing the bootsequence, may further utilize the communication interface to transferthe identification parameter to the configuration server. The executablecode may be selected from multiple distinct versions of executable codebased on the identification parameter.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a barcodereader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system. Thebarcode reader may have a communication interface, non-volatile memoryincluding first executable code, volatile memory, and a processor. Theprocessor may carry out steps including executing the first executablecode to utilize the communication interface to obtain second executablecode from a configuration server, loading the second executable codedirectly to the volatile memory, and executing the second executablecode to commence operation of the barcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be incapable ofproviding decoded data to the remote computing system after power-up ofthe barcode reader and prior to executing the second executable codeobtained from the configuration server to commence operation of thebarcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-volatile memory may be smallerthan the size of a combination of the first executable code and thesecond executable code.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-volatile memory further includesa boot sequence. The processor may further execute the boot sequencedirectly from non-volatile memory to initiate communication between theprocessor and the volatile memory before executing the first executablecode. The processor may execute the second executable code to commenceoperation of the barcode reader without the processor being required tore-execute the boot sequence.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor may further detect theoccurrence of a configuration event from a set of defined configurationevents, and utilize the communication interface to obtain secondexecutable code from a configuration server in response to detecting theconfiguration event.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor, executing the firstexecutable code, may further provide an identification parameter to theconfiguration server. The second executable code may be selected frommultiple distinct versions of second executable code based on operatingrequirements of the reader which are associated with the identificationparameter. The second executable code may include instructions forformatting decoded data for output to the remote computing system.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further have animage sensor for capturing an image of a barcode within a field of view.The second executable code may include a decoder, which may beinstructions executed by the processor to obtain decoded data from animage of a barcode captured by the image sensor.

Alternatively or additionally, the second executable code may furtherinclude instructions necessary to drive the image sensor to capture animage of a barcode within a field of view.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-volatile memory may further havean identification parameter. The processor, executing the firstexecutable code, may further utilize the communication interface totransfer the identification parameter to the configuration server. Thesecond executable code may be selected from multiple distinct versionsof second executable code based on the identification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the second executable code may haveinstructions for formatting decoded data for output to the remotecomputing system. The second executable code may be selected frommultiple distinct versions of second executable code based onrequirements for formatting decoded data which are associated with theidentification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further have animage sensor for capturing an image of a barcode within a field of view.The second executable code may include a decoder, which may beinstructions executed by the processor to obtain decoded data from animage of a barcode captured by the image sensor. The second executablecode may be selected from multiple distinct versions of secondexecutable code based on requirements for decoding data from barcodes ofcertain formats associated with the identification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the second executable code may furtherinclude instructions necessary to drive the image sensor to capture animage of a barcode within a field of view. The second executable codemay be selected from multiple distinct versions of second executablecode based on requirements for driving the image sensor associated withthe identification parameter.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a barcodereader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system. Thebarcode reader may have an image sensor configured to capture an imageof a barcode within a field of view, non-volatile memory with firstexecutable code, volatile memory, a communication interface, and aprocessor. The processor may commence operation of the barcode reader byloading the first executable code from non-volatile memory to volatilememory for execution, executing the first executable code to obtainsecond executable code from a remote configuration server via thecommunication interface and load the second executable code to volatilememory for execution, and executing a combination of both the firstexecutable code and the second executable code to operate the barcodereader and provide decoded data to the remote computing system via thecommunication interface.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be incapable ofproviding decoded data to the remote computing system after power-up ofthe barcode reader and prior to executing the second executable codeobtained from the configuration server to commence operation of thebarcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-volatile memory may be smallerthan the size of a combination of the first executable code and thesecond executable code.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-volatile memory may further havea boot sequence. The processor may further execute the boot sequencedirectly from non-volatile memory to initiate communication between theprocessor and the volatile memory before executing the first executablecode. The processor may execute the second executable code to commenceoperation of the barcode reader without the processor being required tore-execute the boot sequence.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor may further detect theoccurrence of a configuration event from a set of defined configurationevents. The processor may further utilize the communication interface toobtain second executable code from a configuration server in response todetecting the configuration event.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor, executing the firstexecutable code, may further provide an identification parameter to theconfiguration server. The second executable code may be selected frommultiple distinct versions of second executable code being selectedbased on operating requirements of the reader which are associated withthe identification parameter. The second executable code may haveinstructions for formatting decoded data for output to the remotecomputing system.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may have an imagesensor for capturing an image of a barcode within a field of view. Thesecond executable code may include a decoder, which may be instructionsexecuted by the processor to obtain decoded data from an image of abarcode captured by the image sensor.

Alternatively or additionally, the second executable code may furtherinclude instructions necessary to drive the image sensor to capture animage of a barcode within a field of view.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-volatile memory may further havean identification parameter. The processor, executing the firstexecutable code, may further utilize the communication interface totransfer the identification parameter to the configuration server. Thesecond executable code may be selected from multiple distinct versionsof second executable code based on the identification parameter. Thesecond executable code may be selected from multiple distinct versionsof second executable code based on requirements for decoding data frombarcodes of certain formats associated with the identification parameter

Alternatively or additionally, the second executable code may haveinstructions for formatting decoded data for output to the remotecomputing system. The second executable code may be selected frommultiple distinct versions of second executable code based onrequirements for formatting decoded data which are associated with theidentification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further include animage sensor for capturing an image of a barcode within a field of view.The second executable code may include a decoder, which may beinstructions executed by the processor to obtain decoded data from animage of a barcode captured by the image sensor. The second executablecode may be selected from multiple distinct versions of secondexecutable code based on requirements for decoding data from barcodes ofcertain formats associated with the identification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the second executable code may furtherinclude instructions necessary to drive the image sensor to capture animage of a barcode within a field of view. The second executable codemay be selected from multiple distinct versions of second executablecode based on requirements for driving the image sensor associated withthe identification parameter.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a barcodereader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system. Thebarcode reader may have barcode reading hardware, which may include animage sensor and a processor which captures an image of a barcode withina field of view and provides decoded data from the barcode to a remotecomputing system only when the processor executes operating instructionsfor the barcode reading hardware which the processor obtains from aremote configuration server upon power up of the barcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further include avolatile and/or non-volatile memory storing the operating instructionsobtained from the remote configuration server so long as the volatilememory remains in a refresh state. All instances of the operatinginstructions on the reader may be decimated with no instances remainingon the reader when the volatile memory resets or fails to refresh.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further have anon-volatile memory with first executable code. The processor mayfurther execute the first executable code to drive a communicationinterface to obtain the operating instructions from the remoteconfiguration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor, executing the firstexecutable code, may further provide an identification parameter to theconfiguration server. The operating instructions may be selected frommultiple distinct versions of operating instructions based on operatingrequirements of the reader which are associated with the identificationparameter. The second executable code may include instructions forformatting decoded data for output to the remote computing system.

Alternatively or additionally, the operating instructions may furtherinclude a decoder, which may be instructions executed by the processorto obtain decoded data from an image of a barcode captured by the imagesensor. The operating instructions may be selected from multipledistinct versions of operating instructions based on requirements fordecoding data from barcodes of certain formats associated with theidentification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the operating instructions may furtherinclude instructions necessary to drive the image sensor to capture animage of a barcode within a field of view. The operating instructionsmaybe selected from multiple distinct versions of operating instructionsbased on requirements for driving the image sensor associated with theidentification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-volatile memory may further havean identification parameter. The processor, executing the firstexecutable code, may further utilize the communication interface totransfer the identification parameter to the configuration server. Theoperating instructions may be selected from multiple distinct versionsof operating instructions based on the identification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the operating instructions may includeinstructions for formatting decoded data for output to the remotecomputing system. The operating instructions may be selected frommultiple distinct versions of operating instructions based onrequirements for formatting decoded data which are associated with theidentification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the operating instructions may include adecoder, which may be instructions executed by the processor to obtaindecoded data from an image of a barcode captured by the image sensor.The operating instructions may be selected from multiple distinctversions of operating instructions based on requirements for decodingdata from barcodes of certain formats associated with the identificationparameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the operating instructions may furtherinclude instructions necessary to drive the image sensor to capture animage of a barcode within a field of view. The operating instructionsmay be selected from multiple distinct versions of operatinginstructions based on requirements for driving the image sensorassociated with the identification parameter.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a barcodereader for decoding and manipulating data from a barcode and providingthe decoded and manipulated data to a remote computing system. Thebarcode reader may include barcode reading hardware, including an imagesensor which captures an image of a barcode within the field of view,and a processor. The processor may execute executable code whichgenerates decoded data representative of data encoded in the barcode,formats the decoded data, and sends the formatted decoded data to theremote computing system, only when the processor executes formatting androuting instructions which the barcode reader obtains from a remoteconfiguration server upon power up of the barcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further include anon-volatile memory with first executable code. The first executablecode may include a decoder, which may be instructions executed by theprocessor to obtain decoded data from the image of the barcode. Theprocessor may further execute the first executable code to drive acommunication interface to obtain the formatting and routinginstructions from the remote configuration server. The formatting androuting instructions, when executed by the processor, may format decodeddata provided by the decoder and direct output of the formatted decodeddata to the remote computing system.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor, executing the firstexecutable code, may further provide an identification parameter to theconfiguration server. The formatting and routing instructions may beselected from multiple distinct versions of formatting and routinginstructions may be based on at least one of: i) requirements forformatting the decoded data that are associated with the identificationparameter; and ii) requirements for routing the decoded data that areassociated with the identification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be incapable ofproviding formatted decoded data to the remote computing system afterpower-up of the barcode reader and prior to obtaining the formatting androuting instructions from the remote configuration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further include avolatile memory storing the formatting and routing instructions obtainedfrom the remote configuration server so long as the volatile memoryremains in a refresh state. All instances of the formatting and routinginstructions on the reader may be decimated with no instances remainingon the reader when the volatile memory resets or fails to refresh.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further include anon-volatile memory with first executable code. The first executablecode may include a decoder, which may be instructions executed by theprocessor to obtain decoded data from the image of the barcode. Theprocessor may further execute the first executable code to drive acommunication interface to obtain the formatting and routinginstructions from the remote configuration server. The first executablecode may include a decoder, which may be instructions executed by theprocessor to decode the image of the barcode thereby generating acharacter string representative of data encoded in the barcode. Theformatting and routing instructions, when executed by the processor, mayperform at least one of generating decoded data by adding leading ortrailing characters to the character string, generating decoded data bymodifying the format of the character string, and transferring thedecoded provide decoded data to the remote computing system via thecommunication interface.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor, executing the firstexecutable code, may further provide an identification parameter to theconfiguration server. The formatting and routing instructions may beselected from multiple distinct versions of formatting and routinginstructions may be based on at least one of: i) requirements forformatting the decoded data that are associated with the identificationparameter; and ii) requirements for routing the decoded data that areassociated with the identification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be incapable ofproviding formatted decoded data to the remote computing system afterpower-up of the barcode reader and prior to obtaining the formatting androuting instructions from the remote configuration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further have avolatile memory storing the formatting and routing instructions obtainedfrom the remote configuration server so long as the volatile memoryremains in a refresh state. All instances of the formatting and routinginstructions on the reader may be decimated with no instances remainingon the reader when the volatile memory resets or fails to refresh.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a barcodereader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system. Thebarcode reader may include an image sensor for capturing an image of abarcode within a field of view, a communication interface, volatilememory, non-volatile memory with first executable code, and a processor.The processor may execute the first executable code to utilize thecommunication interface to receive formatting and routing instructionsfrom the configuration server, load the formatting and routinginstructions to the volatile memory, and execute the formatting androuting instructions to format the decoded data and route the formatteddecoded data to the remote computing system.

Alternatively or additionally, the first executable code may include adecoder, which may be instructions executed by the processor to obtaindecoded data from an image of a barcode captured by the image sensor.The formatting and routing instructions, when executed by the processor,may format decoded data provided by the decoder and direct output of theformatted decoded data to the remote computing system.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be incapable ofproviding formatted decoded data to the remote computing system afterpower-up of the barcode reader and prior to obtaining the formatting androuting instructions from the remote configuration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor, executing the firstexecutable code, may further provides an identification parameter to theconfiguration server. The formatting and routing instructions may beselected from multiple distinct versions of formatting and routinginstructions may be based on at least one of: i) requirements forformatting the decoded data that are associated with the identificationparameter; and ii) requirements for routing the decoded data that areassociated with the identification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the first executable code may include adecoder, which may be instructions executed by the processor to decodethe image of the barcode thereby generating a character stringrepresentative of data encoded in the barcode. The formatting androuting instructions, when executed by the processor, may perform atleast one of generating decoded data by adding leading or trailingcharacters to the character string, generating decoded data by modifyingthe format of the character string, and transferring the decoded providedecoded data to the remote computing system via the communicationinterface.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be incapable ofproviding formatted decoded data to the remote computing system afterpower-up of the barcode reader and prior to obtaining the formatting androuting instructions from the remote configuration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor, executing the firstexecutable code, may further provide an identification parameter to theconfiguration server. the formatting and routing instructions may beselected from multiple distinct versions of formatting and routinginstructions may be based on at least one of: i) requirements forformatting the decoded data that are associated with the identificationparameter, and ii) requirements for routing the decoded data that areassociated with the identification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-volatile memory may further havean identification parameter. The processor, executing the firstexecutable code, may further utilize the communication interface totransfer the identification parameter to the configuration server. Theformatting and routing instructions may be selected from multipledistinct versions of formatting and routing instructions based on atleast one of: i) requirements for formatting the decoded data that areassociated with the identification parameter; and ii) requirements forrouting the decoded data that are associated with the identificationparameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the first executable code may include adecoder, which may be instructions executed by the processor to obtaindecoded data from an image of a barcode captured by the image sensor.The formatting and routing instructions, when executed by the processor,may format decoded data provided by the decoder and direct output of theformatted decoded data to the remote computing system.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be incapable ofproviding formatted decoded data to the remote computing system afterpower-up of the barcode reader and prior to obtaining the formatting androuting instructions from the remote configuration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the first executable code may include adecoder, which may be instructions executed by the processor to decodethe image of the barcode thereby generating a character stringrepresentative of data encoded in the barcode. The formatting androuting instructions, when executed by the processor, may perform atleast one of generating decoded data by adding leading or trailingcharacters to the character string, generating decoded data by modifyingthe format of the character string, and transferring the decoded providedecoded data to the remote computing system via the communicationinterface.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be incapable ofproviding formatted decoded data to the remote computing system afterpower-up of the barcode reader and prior to obtaining the formatting androuting instructions from the remote configuration server.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a barcodereader for decoding data from a barcode. The barcode reader may includebarcode reading hardware, including an image sensor which captures animage of a barcode within the field of view, and a processor. Theprocessor may i) execute embedded firmware to operate the barcodereading hardware, and ii) generate decoded data representative of dataencoded in the barcode by executing supplemental operating instructionswhich the barcode reader obtains from a remote configuration server uponpower up of the barcode reader. The supplemental operating instructionsmay be distinct from the embedded firmware and may include instructionswhich, when executed by the processor, enable the barcode reader tooutput decoded data from the barcode within the field of view.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further include acommunications interface. The processor, executing the embeddedfirmware, may drive the communication interface to obtain thesupplemental operating instructions from the remote configurationserver.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor, executing the embeddedfirmware may further drive a transfer of the supplemental operatinginstructions from the communication interface to storage. The storagemay be one of volatile memory and the non-volatile memory allocated forstorage. The processor, executing the embedded firmware may furtherdetermine an addressable location within volatile memory at which thesupplemental operating instructions, if loaded, are executable by theprocessor, load the supplemental operating instructions from storage tothe addressable location, and commence execution of the supplementaloperating instructions to commence barcode reading functions of thebarcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be incapable ofproviding output of decoded data from the barcode within the field ofview prior to obtaining the supplemental operating instructions from theremote configuration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the storage may be the volatile memory.The supplemental operating instructions may be retained in the barcodereader only so long as the volatile memory remains in a refresh state.All instances of the supplemental operating instructions on the readermay be decimated with no instances remaining on the reader when thevolatile memory resets or fails to refresh.

Alternatively or additionally, the storage may be non-volatile memory.The processor, executing the embedded firmware, may drive thecommunication interface to obtain the supplemental operatinginstructions from the remote configuration server and load thesupplemental operating instructions to the addressable location uponpower up of the reader. Notwithstanding this, the non-volatile memorymay include an instance of the supplemental operating instructionsobtained from the configuration server during a previous power-up of thereader.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be configured tobe incapable of providing output of decoded data from the barcode withinthe field of view prior to obtaining the supplemental operatinginstructions from the remote configuration server upon power-up.Notwithstanding this, the non-volatile memory may include an instance ofthe supplemental operating instructions obtained from the configurationserver during a previous power-up of the reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor, executing the embeddedfirmware may further: i) determine an identification parameter, and ii)drive the communication interface to provide the identificationparameter to the configuration server. The supplemental operatinginstructions may be selected from multiple distinct versions ofsupplemental operating instructions based on the identificationparameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the identification parameter may bestored in non-volatile memory of the reader. Determining theidentification parameter may include reading the identificationparameter from the non-volatile memory.

According to one aspect of the invention, there may be provided abarcode reader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system.The barcode reader may include barcode reading hardware, including animage sensor which captures an image of a barcode within the field ofview, and a communication interface for output of decoded data to aremote computing system. The barcode reader may further include volatilememory, non-volatile memory with operating instructions, and aprocessor. The processor may be configured to, upon power-up of thebarcode reader, load the operating instructions from the non-volatilememory to volatile memory and commence execution of the operatinginstructions, execute the operating instructions to obtain supplementaloperating instructions from a remote configuration server, allocate anaddressable location within the volatile memory at which thesupplemental operating instructions, if loaded, would be executable bythe processor, load the supplemental operating instructions to theaddressable location, and commence execution of a combination of boththe operating instructions and the supplemental operating instructionsto commence barcode reading functions of the barcode reader withoutperforming a re-boot operation.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor may further be configuredto drive a transfer of the supplemental operating instructions from thecommunication interface to storage. The storage may be one of thevolatile memory and the non-volatile memory allocated for storage. Theprocessor may further be configured to load the supplemental operatinginstructions from storage to the addressable location, and commenceexecution of the supplemental operating instructions without performinga re-boot operation.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be incapable ofproviding output of decoded data from the barcode within the field ofview prior to obtaining the supplemental operating instructions from theremote configuration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the storage may be the volatile memory.The supplemental operating instructions may be retained in the barcodereader only so long as the volatile memory remains in a refresh state.All instances of the supplemental operating instructions on the readermay be decimated with no instances remaining on the reader when thevolatile memory resets or fails to refresh.

Alternatively or additionally, the storage may be non-volatile memory.The processor, executing the operating instructions, may drive thecommunication interface to obtain the supplemental operatinginstructions from the remote configuration server and load thesupplemental operating instructions to the addressable location uponpower up of the reader. Notwithstanding this, the non-volatile memorymay include an instance of the supplemental operating instructionsobtained from the configuration server during a previous power-up of thereader.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be configured tobe incapable of providing output of decoded data from the barcode withinthe field of view prior to obtaining the supplemental operatinginstructions from the remote configuration server upon power-up.Notwithstanding this, the non-volatile memory may include an instance ofthe supplemental operating instructions obtained from the configurationserver during a previous power-up of the reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor, executing the operatinginstructions, may further: i) determine an identification parameter, andii) drive the communication interface to provide the identificationparameter to the configuration server. The supplemental operatinginstructions may be selected from multiple distinct versions ofsupplemental operating instructions based on the identificationparameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the identification parameter may bestored in non-volatile memory of the reader. Determining theidentification parameter may include reading the identificationparameter from the non-volatile memory.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a barcodereader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system. Thebarcode reader may include barcode reading hardware, including an imagesensor which captures an image of a barcode within the field of view,and a communication interface for output of decoded data to a remotecomputing system. The barcode reader may further include volatilememory, non-volatile memory with core operating instructions, and aprocessor. The processor may be configured to, upon power-up of thebarcode reader, load the core operating instructions from thenon-volatile memory to volatile memory and commence execution of theoperating instructions, execute the core operating instructions todetermine whether a configuration event has occurred, and, upon theoccurrence of a configuration event, obtain supplemental operatinginstructions from a remote configuration server. The processor mayfurther be configured to allocate an addressable location within thevolatile memory at which the supplemental operating instructions, ifloaded, would be executable by the processor, load the supplementaloperating instructions to the addressable location, and commenceexecution of a combination of both the operating instructions and thesupplemental operating instructions to commence barcode readingfunctions of the barcode reader without performing a re-boot operation.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor may further be configuredto drive a transfer of the supplemental operating instructions from thecommunication interface to storage. The storage may be one of thevolatile memory and the non-volatile memory allocated for storage. Theprocessor may further be configured to load the supplemental operatinginstructions from storage to the addressable location and commenceexecution of the supplemental operating instructions without performinga re-boot operation.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be configured tocease the provision of output of decoded data from the barcode withinthe field of view following the occurrence of a configuration event andprior to obtaining the supplemental operating instructions from theremote configuration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the storage may be the volatile memory,power-up of the reader may be a configuration event, and thesupplemental operating instructions may be retained in the barcodereader only so long as the volatile memory remains in a refresh state.All instances of the supplemental operating instructions on the readermay be decimated with no instances remaining on the reader when thevolatile memory resets or fails to refresh.

Alternatively or additionally, the storage may be non-volatile memory.The processor, executing the operating instructions, may drive thecommunication interface to obtain the supplemental operatinginstructions from the remote configuration server and load thesupplemental operating instructions to the addressable location upon theoccurrence of a configuration event. Notwithstanding this, thenon-volatile memory may include an instance of the supplementaloperating instructions obtained from the configuration server during aprevious power-up of the reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be configured tocease the provision of output of decoded data following the occurrenceof a configuration event and prior to obtaining the supplementaloperating instructions from the remote configuration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor, executing the operatinginstructions, may further: i) determine an identification parameter, andii) drive the communication interface to provide the identificationparameter to the configuration server. The supplemental operatinginstructions may be selected from multiple distinct versions ofsupplemental operating instructions based on the identificationparameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the identification parameter may bestored in non-volatile memory of the reader. Determining theidentification parameter may include reading the identificationparameter from the non-volatile memory.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a barcodereader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system. Thebarcode reader may include barcode reading hardware, including an imagesensor which captures an image of a barcode within the field of view,and a communication interface for output of decoded data to a remotecomputing system. The barcode reader may further include volatilememory, non-volatile memory with start-up instructions, and a processor.The processor may be configured to, upon power-up of the barcode reader,execute the start-up instructions to obtain firmware for operating thebarcode reader from a remote configuration server, load the firmware tovolatile memory, and commence execution of the firmware to commencebarcode reading functions of the barcode reader without performing are-boot operation.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor may further be configuredto drive a transfer of the firmware from the communication interface toa portion of the volatile memory allocated for storage, determine anaddressable location within the volatile memory at which the firmware,if loaded, can be executed by the processor, load the supplementaloperating instructions from storage to the addressable location, andcommence execution of the supplemental operating instructions withoutperforming a re-boot operation.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be incapable ofproviding output of decoded data from the barcode within the field ofview prior to obtaining the firmware from the remote configurationserver.

Alternatively or additionally, the firmware may be retained in thebarcode reader only so long as the volatile memory remains in a refreshstate. All instances of the supplemental operating instructions on thereader may be decimated with no instances remaining on the reader whenthe volatile memory resets or fails to refresh.

Alternatively or additionally, the addressable location may be alocation within volatile memory where the physical address of thevolatile memory align with addresses that are reference internally inthe executable code such that the firmware is executable immediatelyupon being loaded to the volatile memory at the addressable location.

Alternatively or additionally, the addressable location may be definedby a start address stored in the non-volatile memory. The firmware maybe loaded to the addressable location by commencing loading of thefirmware at the start address. The processor may begin execution of thefirmware by executing the instruction at the start address.

Alternatively or additionally, the addressable location may be definedby a start address identified by the remote configuration server. Thefirmware may be loaded to the addressable location by commencing loadingof the firmware at the start address. The processor may begin executionof the firmware by executing the instruction at the start address.

Alternatively or additionally, the start address may be identified in aheader to a file provided by the configuration server that contains thefirmware.

Alternatively or additionally, the firmware may have instructionsnecessary to drive the image sensor to capture the image.

Alternatively or additionally, the firmware may include a decoder, whichmay be instructions executed by the processor to obtain the decoded datafrom the image of the barcode captured by the image sensor.

Alternatively or additionally, an identification parameter may be storedin non-volatile memory of the reader. The processor, executing thestart-up instructions, may further provide the identification parameterto the configuration server. The firmware may be selected from multipledistinct versions of firmware based on the identification parameter.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a barcodereader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system. Thebarcode reader may have a communication interface, volatile memory,non-volatile memory with an identification parameter and start-upinstructions, and a processor. The processor may be configured toexecute the start-up instructions to provide the identificationparameter to a configuration server and receive executable code from theconfiguration server based on the identification parameter. Theexecutable code may include a header that indicates a start address forthe executable code. The processor may further be configured to load theexecutable code to the volatile memory at a first location that beginsat a first address different than the start address, determine the startaddress for the executable code by reading the header within theexecutable code, load the executable code to a second location withinthe volatile memory, the second location beginning at the start address,and execute the executable code.

Alternatively or additionally, the first address may not align withaddresses that are referenced internally in the executable code suchthat the executable code is not executable upon being loaded to thevolatile memory at the first location that begins at the first address.The start address may align with the addresses that are referencedinternally in the executable code such that the executable code isexecutable immediately upon being loaded to the volatile memory at thesecond location that begins at the start address.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be incapable ofproviding the decoded data to the remote computing system after power-upof the barcode reader and prior to executing the executable codereceived from the configuration server.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may not be rebootedbetween (i) receiving the executable code from the configuration server,and (ii) executing the executable code.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further include animage sensor for capturing an image of a barcode within a field of view.The executable code may further have instructions necessary to drive theimage sensor to capture the image.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may further have animage sensor for capturing an image of a barcode within a field of view.The executable code may further include a decoder, which may beinstructions executed by the processor to obtain the decoded data fromthe image of the barcode captured by the image sensor.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable code may be selected frommultiple distinct versions of executable code based on theidentification parameter.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a barcodereader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system. Thebarcode reader may include a communication interface, volatile memory,non-volatile memory with an identification parameter, start-upinstructions, and a start address defining addressable address space inthe volatile memory at which a firmware if loaded, if loaded, willexecute, and a processor. The processor may be configured to execute thestart-up instructions to provide the identification parameter to aconfiguration server and receive a firmware image from the configurationserver based on the identification parameter, load the firmware image atthe addressable address space, and begin execution of the firmware imageat the start address to commence operation of the barcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the addressable location may be alocation within volatile memory where the physical address of thevolatile memory aligns with addresses that are referenced internally inthe firmware image such that the firmware image is executableimmediately upon being loaded to the volatile memory at the addressablelocation.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may be incapable ofproviding output of decoded data from the barcode within the field ofview prior to obtaining the firmware image from the remote configurationserver.

Alternatively or additionally, the firmware image may be retained in thebarcode reader only so long as the volatile memory remains in a refreshstate. All instances of the firmware on the reader may be decimated withno instances remaining on the reader when the volatile memory resets orfails to refresh.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a hostdevice coupled to a barcode reader. The barcode reader may include animage sensor for capturing an image of a barcode within a field of viewof the barcode reader. The host device may include a point-to-pointcommunication interface, a network interface, a processor, memory inelectronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored inthe memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor toestablish a point-to-point connection with a barcode reader via thepoint-to-point communication interface, and determine that the barcodereader is in a state wherein executable instructions necessary forproviding, to the host device, data decoded from a barcode within thefield of view of the barcode reader, is not present within memory of thebarcode reader. The instructions may further be executable by theprocessor to use the network interface to connect to a configurationserver and to receive from the configuration server, executableinstructions required for the barcode reader to be capable of providing,to the host device, data decoded from a barcode within the field of viewof the barcode reader. The instructions may further be executable by theprocessor to provide the executable instructions to the barcode readervia the point-to-point connection, and receive from the barcode reader,via the point to point interface, data decoded from a barcode within thefield of view of the barcode reader only after the executableinstructions have been loaded to volatile memory or the barcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, determining that the barcode reader is ina state wherein executable instructions necessary for decoding a barcodeis not present within memory of the barcode reader may include obtainingan identification parameter from the barcode reader. Using the networkinterface to receive executable instructions from the configurationserver may include providing the identification parameter to theconfiguration server. The executable instructions may be selected frommultiple distinct versions of executable instructions based onrequirements for operating the barcode reader which are associated withthe identification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references, including a start of executionaddress, configured such that the executable instructions will executewhen loaded to physical memory at physical memory addresses which alignto the internal memory address references. The start of executionaddress may correspond to a predetermined address at which a processorin the reader is preconfigured to begin execution of the executableinstructions.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references configured such the executableinstructions will execute when loaded to physical memory at physicalmemory addresses which align to the internal memory address references,and a header including a physical memory address specificationspecifying the physical memory addresses which align to the internalmemory references. The barcode reader may read the physical memoryaddress specification from the header and load the executableinstructions to physical memory addresses which align with the internalmemory references.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includedecoder instructions necessary for generating data decoded from an imageof a barcode captured by the image sensor.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references, including a start of executionaddress, configured such that the executable instructions will executewhen loaded to physical memory at physical memory addresses which alignto the internal memory address references. The start of executionaddress may correspond to a predetermined address at which a processorin the reader is preconfigured to begin execution of the executableinstructions.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references configured such the executableinstructions will execute when loaded to physical memory at physicalmemory addresses which align to the internal memory address references,and a header including a physical memory address specificationspecifying the physical memory addresses which align to the internalmemory references. The barcode reader may read the physical memoryaddress specification from the header and load the executableinstructions to physical memory addresses which align with the internalmemory references.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinstructions necessary for driving the image sensor to capture an imageof a barcode within a field of view of the barcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references, including a start of executionaddress, configured such that the executable instructions will executewhen loaded to physical memory at physical memory addresses which alignto the internal memory address references. The start of executionaddress may correspond to a predetermined address at which a processorin the reader may be preconfigured to begin execution of the executableinstructions.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references configured such the executableinstructions will execute when loaded to physical memory at physicalmemory addresses which align to the internal memory address references,and a header including a physical memory address specificationspecifying the physical memory addresses which align to the internalmemory references. The barcode reader may read the physical memoryaddress specification from the header and load the executableinstructions to physical memory addresses which align with the internalmemory references.

According to one aspect of the invention, there may be provided a hostdevice coupled to a barcode reader. The barcode reader may have an imagesensor for capturing an image of a barcode within a field of view of thebarcode reader. The host device may include a point-to-pointcommunication interface, a network interface, a processor, memory inelectronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored inthe memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor toestablish a point-to-point connection with a barcode reader via thepoint-to-point communication interface. When the barcode reader is in astate wherein executable instructions necessary for providing, to thehost device, data decoded from a barcode within the field of view of thebarcode reader, is not present within memory of the barcode reader, theinstructions may be executable by the processor to use the networkinterface to connect to a configuration server, receive from theconfiguration server, executable instructions required for the barcodereader to be capable of providing, to the host device, data decoded froma barcode within the field of view of the barcode reader, and providethe executable instructions to the barcode reader vie the point-to-pointconnection. When the barcode reader is in a state wherein the executableinstructions necessary for providing, to the host device, data decodedfrom a barcode within the field of view of the barcode reader, arepresent within memory of the barcode reader, the instructions mayfurther be executable by the processor to receive from the barcodereader, via the point to point interface, decoded data from a barcodewithin the field of view of the barcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the instructions stored in memory andbeing executable by the processor may further include determining, basedon information provided by the reader via the point to pointcommunication interface, whether the barcode reader is in the statewherein executable instructions necessary for providing, to the hostdevice, data decoded from a barcode within the field of view of thebarcode reader, is not present within memory of the barcode reader, andwhether the barcode reader is in a state wherein the executableinstructions necessary for providing, to the host device, data decodedfrom a barcode within the field of view of the barcode reader, arepresent within memory of the barcode reader. When the executableinstructions required for the barcode reader to be capable of providing,to the host device, data decoded from a barcode within the field of viewof the barcode reader, the instructions stored in memory and beingexecutable by the processor ma further include receiving from thebarcode reader, via the point to point interface, decoded data from abarcode within the field of view of the barcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the information provided by the readermay include a configuration parameter when the barcode reader is in astate wherein the executable instructions necessary for providing, tothe host device, data decoded from a barcode within the field of view ofthe barcode reader, are present within memory of the barcode reader.Receiving from the configuration server, executable instructionsrequired for the barcode reader to be capable of providing, to the hostdevice, data decoded from a barcode within the field of view of thebarcode reader, may include providing the identification parameter tothe configuration server. The executable instructions may be selectedfrom multiple distinct versions of executable instructions based onrequirements for operating the barcode reader which are associated withthe identification parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references, including a start of executionaddress, configured such that the executable instructions will executewhen loaded to physical memory at physical memory addresses which alignto the internal memory address references. The start of executionaddress may correspond to a predetermined address at which a processorin the reader is preconfigured to begin execution of the executableinstructions.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references configured such that the executableinstructions will execute when loaded to physical memory at physicalmemory addresses which align to the internal memory address references.The executable instructions may further include a header including aphysical memory address specification specifying the physical memoryaddresses which align to the internal memory references. The barcodereader may read the physical memory address specification from theheader and load the executable instructions to physical memory addresseswhich align with the internal memory references.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includedecoder instructions necessary for generating data decoded from an imageof a barcode captured by the image sensor.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references, including a start of executionaddress, configured such that the executable instructions will executewhen loaded to physical memory at physical memory addresses which alignto the internal memory address references. The start of executionaddress may correspond to a predetermined address at which a processorin the reader is preconfigured to begin execution of the executableinstructions.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references configured such the executableinstructions will execute when loaded to physical memory at physicalmemory addresses which align to the internal memory address references.The executable instructions may further include a header including aphysical memory address specification specifying the physical memoryaddresses which align to the internal memory references. The barcodereader may read the physical memory address specification from theheader and load the executable instructions to physical memory addresseswhich align with the internal memory references.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinstructions necessary for driving the image sensor to capture an imageof a barcode within a field of view of the barcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references, including a start of executionaddress, configured such that the executable instructions will executewhen loaded to physical memory at physical memory addresses which alignto the internal memory address references. The start of executionaddress may correspond to a predetermined address at which a processorin the reader is preconfigured to begin execution of the executableinstructions.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references configured such the executableinstructions will execute when loaded to physical memory at physicalmemory addresses which align to the internal memory address references.The executable instructions may further include a header including aphysical memory address specification specifying the physical memoryaddresses which align to the internal memory references. The barcodereader may read the physical memory address specification from theheader and load the executable instructions to physical memory addresseswhich align with the internal memory references.

According to one aspect of the invention, there may be provided a hostdevice coupled to a barcode reader. The barcode reader may include animage sensor for capturing an image of a barcode within a field of viewof the barcode reader. The host device may include a point-to-pointcommunication interface, a processor, memory in electronic communicationwith the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. Theinstructions may be executable by the processor to establish apoint-to-point connection with a barcode reader via the point-to-pointcommunication interface, provide the executable instructions requiredfor the barcode reader to be capable of providing, to the host device,data decoded from a barcode within the field of view of the barcodereader, and receive from the barcode reader, via the point to pointinterface, decoded data from a barcode within the field of view of thebarcode reader only after the executable instructions: i) have beenprovided to the barcode reader by the host device; ii) loaded tovolatile memory or the barcode reader; and iii) are being executed by aprocessor of the barcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references, including a start of executionaddress, configured such that the executable instructions will executewhen loaded to physical memory at physical memory addresses which alignto the internal memory address references. The start of executionaddress may correspond to a predetermined address at which a processorin the reader is preconfigured to begin execution of the executableinstructions.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references configured such the executableinstructions will execute when loaded to physical memory at physicalmemory addresses which align to the internal memory address references.The executable instructions may further include a header including aphysical memory address specification specifying the physical memoryaddresses which align to the internal memory references. The barcodereader may read the physical memory address specification from theheader and load the executable instructions to physical memory addresseswhich align with the internal memory references.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includedecoder instructions necessary for generating data decoded from an imageof a barcode captured by the image sensor.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references, including a start of executionaddress, configured such that the executable instructions will executewhen loaded to physical memory at physical memory addresses which alignto the internal memory address references. The start of executionaddress may correspond to a predetermined address at which a processorin the reader is preconfigured to begin execution of the executableinstructions.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references configured such the executableinstructions will execute when loaded to physical memory at physicalmemory addresses which align to the internal memory address references.The executable instructions may further include a header including aphysical memory address specification specifying the physical memoryaddresses which align to the internal memory references. The barcodereader may read the physical memory address specification from theheader and load the executable instructions to physical memory addresseswhich align with the internal memory references.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinstructions necessary for driving the image sensor to capture an imageof a barcode within a field of view of the barcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references, including a start of executionaddress, configured such that the executable instructions will executewhen loaded to physical memory at physical memory addresses which alignto the internal memory address references. The start of executionaddress may correspond to a predetermined address at which a processorin the reader is preconfigured to begin execution of the executableinstructions.

Alternatively or additionally, the executable instructions may includeinternal memory address references configured such the executableinstructions will execute when loaded to physical memory at physicalmemory addresses which align to the internal memory address references.The executable instructions may further include a header including aphysical memory address specification specifying the physical memoryaddresses which align to the internal memory references. The barcodereader may read the physical memory address specification from theheader and load the executable instructions to physical memory addresseswhich align with the internal memory references.

A number of features are described herein with respect to embodiments ofthe invention; it will be appreciated that features described withrespect to a given embodiment also may be employed in connection withother embodiments.

The invention includes the features described herein, including thedescription, the annexed drawings, and, if appended, the claims, whichset forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments. These embodimentsare indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the invention may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system wherein devices (e.g.,barcode readers) obtain operating instructions from a configurationserver.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a barcode reader in the system shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the barcode reader of FIG. 2, with a different startaddress location and method of placing the operating instructions in thevolatile memory.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a barcode reader in the systemshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates some aspects of an embodiment of a configurationserver in the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates some aspects of an embodiment of a host device in thesystem shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary operation of an embodiment of a barcodereader in the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary operation of an embodiment of a barcodereader and a configuration server in the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 illustrates exemplary operation of an embodiment of a barcodereader, a redirect server and a configuration server in the system shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary operation of an embodiment of a barcodereader, a host device and a configuration server in the system shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 11 illustrates exemplary operation of an embodiment of a barcodereader, a host device, a redirect server and a configuration server inthe system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary method of generating executable codeaccording to the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates how a different types of executable code producedvia the method of FIG. 12 may be loaded into volatile memory forexecution.

FIG. 14 illustrates a RAM image executable file residing in volatilememory after it has been loaded as set forth in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 illustrates a position-independent executable file residing involatile memory along with other executable files after it has beenloaded as set forth in FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described with reference to a numberof embodiments, each of which is merely exemplary. Any component,feature, or functionality mentioned in connection with any of theseembodiments should be regarded as optional; hence, the scope of theinvention is not limited by the following examples, but rather by theappended claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 according to one embodiment of theinvention wherein devices 102, which may be barcode readers 102, obtainexecutable code necessary for operation of the device 102 in the form ofoperating instructions 104 (shown in FIG. 2) from a configuration server106. The operating instructions 104 may be referred to as “executablecode.” The configuration server 106 may be, for example, a localconfiguration server 106 a or a remote configuration server 106 b. Thesystem 100 may include at least three different categories of devices102.

A first device 102 a may include a wireless local area network (LAN)interface 108 a communicating with a remote access point 110 of awireless portion of a LAN 112, such that the first device 102 a itselfis an addressable endpoint on the LAN 112, meaning that the first device102 a is assigned an IP address and is capable of IP communications withother devices over the LAN 112 using IP protocols such as TCP and UDP.The wireless portion of the LAN 112 and the wireless LAN interface 108 aof the first device 102 a may function in accordance with any knownwireless communications protocol, including but not limited to theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics (IEEE) 802.11 standards, whichare sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi™. The wireless LAN interface 108 awithin the first device 102 a may communicate with Wi-Fi™ access points(such as the remote access point 110) as the first device 102 a roamswithin the coverage area of the wireless portion of the LAN 112. As willbe discussed in more detail, the first device 102 a obtains operatinginstructions 104 from a configuration server 106 (e.g., the localconfiguration server 106 a and/or the remote configuration server 106 b)via its network connection to the configuration server 106.

A second device 102 b may be connected to a host computer 114 a via apoint-to-point connection 116, which may be a wireless point-to-pointconnection 116 a (e.g., Bluetooth®) or a wired point-to-point connection116 b (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB)). The host computer 114 a inturn includes a wired and/or wireless LAN interface 118 a forcommunication with a switch (not shown) or a remote access point 110 ofthe LAN 112 such that the host computer 114 a is an addressable endpointon the LAN 112. As will be discussed in more detail, the second device102 b obtains operating instructions 104 from a configuration server 106(e.g., the local configuration server 106 a and/or the remoteconfiguration server 106 b) via its point-to-point connection 116 to thehost computer 114 a, which communicates with the configuration server106 via the LAN 112.

A third device 102 c may be connected to a mobile host 114 b via apoint-to-point connection 116, which may be a wireless point-to-pointconnection 116 a (e.g., Bluetooth®) or a wired point-to-point connection116 b (e.g., USB). The mobile host 114 b may include a wireless widearea network (WAN) interface 118 b for wireless communication with thenetwork 120 of an Internet service provider (ISP). For example, the ISPcould be a mobile telephone service provider and the wireless WANinterface 118 b could be a circuit for wireless data communications withthe access towers of the ISP's network 120. Such wireless datacommunications may occur in accordance with any suitable wirelesscommunication standard, including 3G standards (e.g., UMTS, CDMA2000,EDGE, etc.) and/or 4G standards (e.g., LTE, Mobile WiMAX, etc.). As willbe discussed in more detail, the third device 102 c may obtain operatinginstructions 104 from a configuration server 106 (e.g., the localconfiguration server 106 a and/or the remote configuration server 106 b)via its point-to-point connection 116 to the mobile host 114 b, whichcommunicates with the configuration server 106 via the ISP's network120.

The LAN 112 may comprise a wired backbone network 122 and one or moreremote access points 110 such that addressable end point devices (wiredor wireless) communicate with each other using TCP/IP communicationprotocols and communicate with remote TCP/IP devices over the Internet124 through a router 126 that interconnects the LAN 112 with an ISP'snetwork 128 and ultimately the Internet 124. The local configurationserver 106 a may be coupled to the LAN 112 and may be an addressableendpoint on the LAN 112. The remote configuration server 106 b may be aremote device that is addressable over the Internet 124.

FIG. 1 depicts the LAN 112 coupled to the ISP's network 128 via a singlerouter 126. However, such connections often employ multiple router andfirewall systems, including DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) networks. Remotedevices (e.g., devices coupled to the Internet 124) may be logicallyconnected to the LAN 112 using Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology.Depiction of a device as an endpoint on the LAN 112 is intended toinclude a remote device that is logically an endpoint on the LAN 112 viaVPN technology. Further, although not depicted as being directly coupledto the LAN 112, mobile host 114 b may be a logical endpoint on the LAN112 via VPN technology.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a device 102 in the system 100 shownin FIG. 1. The device 102 may be a barcode reader 102, and may bereferred to as such in the following discussion.

The reader 102 may include an illumination system 130 and an imagingsystem 132. The illumination system 130 may be configured to illuminatea target area, which may include a barcode, while the imaging system 132captures an image of the barcode. The illumination system 130 mayinclude targeting illumination and one or more sets of exposureilluminators. The illumination system 130 may include multipleillumination systems as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/105,380 entitled “Barcode Reader Having Multiple Illumination Systemsand Multiple Sets of Imaging Optics” filed on Dec. 13, 2013, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The imagingsystem 132 may include an optical system 134 and a two-dimensional imagesensor 136. The image sensor 136 may comprise a two-dimensional array ofpixels and a detector capable of measuring or quantifying light incidenton the pixel array. The image sensor 136 may be a CCD sensor, CMOSsensor, etc. The optical system 134 may comprise a single lens or seriesof lenses capable of focusing light onto the image sensor 136.

The reader 102 may further include a user interface comprising inputcontrol 138 and/or a display 140. The input control 138 may include atrigger switch 142, a keypad 144, and/or a touch panel 145, such as atouch screen, over the display 140.

The reader 102 may include one or more communication interfaces 108.More specifically, the reader 102 may include a wireless LAN interface108 a and/or at least one point-to-point interface 108 b. The wirelessLAN interface 108 a may permit the reader 102 to be an addressableendpoint on the LAN 112. The point-to-point interface(s) 108 b mayinclude a wired point-to-point interface 108 b (e.g., a USB interface)and/or a wireless point-to-point interface 108 b (e.g., a Bluetooth®interface). The point-to-point interface(s) 108 b may comprise a UART(Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter). The reader 102 mayestablish a point-to-point connection 116 with a host device 114 via apoint-to-point interface 108 b.

Each of the foregoing may be coupled to a system package 146. The systempackage 146 may include a single package or multiple packages. Thesystem package 146 may include one or more silicon dies that include aprocessor 148, hardware circuits 150 for operating the componentsdiscussed above, non-volatile memory 152, and volatile memory 154. Thenon-volatile memory 152 may include a combination of read only memory(ROM) and/or flash memory. The non-volatile memory 152 and the volatilememory 154 may together comprise the addressable address space of thereader 102. The processor 148, the communications interface 108, and theimaging system 132 may, together, define barcode reading hardware of thereader 102.

The non-volatile memory 152 may include a boot sequence 156 forinitiating operation of the reader 102 upon power-up. The boot sequence156 may include fetch instructions 158 and communication controlinstructions 160. The communication control instructions 160 may includenetwork instructions 162 for establishing the reader 102 as anaddressable device on the LAN 112 and a TCP/IP stack 164 for TCP/IPcommunications with remote devices over the LAN 112 and other networksto which the LAN 112 is coupled via the router 126.

In some embodiments, the non-volatile memory 152 may include embeddedfirmware. Thus, executing the boot sequence 156 may constitute executinginstructions of such embedded firmware. If desired, the non-volatilememory 152 may include instructions to operate the barcode readinghardware, which may include the processor 148, the imaging system 132,and the communications interface 108. Alternatively or additionally,such instructions may be included in the operating instructions 104obtained from the configuration server 106, as will be set forth indetail below.

The network instructions 162 may include instructions for searching for,and connecting to, an available network. The network instructions 162may include network credentials, such as an SSID (service setidentifier) and password, for logging on to a secure network.Alternatively or additionally, the network instructions 162 may includeinstructions for obtaining an SSID and a password from a user and/orfrom a host device 114.

The non-volatile memory 152 may also include a server address 166. Theserver address 166 may include a routable IP address and port number towhich the reader 102 is to connect to obtain either (i) operatinginstructions 104, or (ii) a redirect address (another IP address andport number) to which the reader 102 is to connect to obtain operatinginstructions 104. In other words, the server address 166 may correspondto a configuration server 106, or the server address 166 may correspondto a redirect server 168.

If the reader 102 obtains operating instructions 104 via apoint-to-point connection 116 to a host device 114 (using apoint-to-point interface 108 b), it may not be necessary for the reader102 to store the server address 166.

The non-volatile memory 152 may also include an identification (ID)parameter 170. The ID parameter 170 may include an identifier or look-upkey used by the configuration server 106 (which may be at the serveraddress 166 or the redirect address) to determine which of multipleoperating instructions 104 are to be provided to the reader 102.

The ID parameter 170 may identify the type of reader 102. For example,the ID parameter 170 may identify the hardware of the reader 102distinct from alternate hardware of other readers supported by theconfiguration server. In other words, the operating instructions 104 maybe dependent on the hardware of the reader 102.

Alternatively or additionally, the ID parameter 170 may identify thereader 102 itself. For example, the ID parameter 170 may be a reader ID(e.g., a serial number) distinct from alternate serial numbers of otherreaders supported by the configuration server. In other words, theoperating instructions 104 may be dependent on the reader ID. Theoperating instructions 104 may advantageously be retrieved from a set ofmultiple different operating instructions stored on the configurationserver 106. The particular operating instructions 104 for the reader 102may be selected from those available on the configuration server 106based, at least in part, on the ID parameter 170. This will be shown anddescribed in greater detail in connection with FIG. 5.

Alternatively or additionally, the ID parameter 170 may identify anapplication running on the reader 102. For example, the ID parameter 170may be an application ID, which may identify one or more job(s)/task(s)that the user is performing with the reader 102 which is distinct fromother job(s)/task(s) performed by other readers supported by theconfiguration server. In other words, the operating instructions 104 maybe dependent on the job(s)/task(s) to be performed.

Alternatively or additionally, the ID parameter 170 may identify a userof the reader 102. For example, the ID parameter 170 may be a user IDwhich is distinct from other user IDs supported by the configurationserver. In other words, the operating instructions 104 may be dependenton the user ID. Alternatively or additionally, the user ID may be aproxy for identifying the application, and the operating instructions104 may be dependent on the application.

Alternatively or additionally, the ID parameter 170 may identify alocation of the reader 102 distinct from locations of other readerssupported by the configuration server. In other words, the operatinginstructions 104 may be dependent on the location of the reader 102.Alternatively or additionally, the location of the reader 102 may be aproxy for identifying the application, and the operating instructions104 may be dependent on the application.

The fetch instructions 158 may be executable by the processor 148 inresponse to a configuration event (defined below) to: (i) utilize acommunication interface 108 (which may be controlled by thecommunication control instructions 160) to obtain the operatinginstructions 104 from a configuration server 106; (ii) load theoperating instructions 104 into the volatile memory 154 at an addressspace, and (iii) when applicable, pass control to the operatinginstructions 104.

The boot sequence 156 may optionally be used to initiate communicationbetween the processor 148 and the volatile memory 154 prior to fetchingof the operating instructions. This may prepare the volatile memory 154to receive the operating instructions 104.

The operating instructions 104 may advantageously be copied/loadeddirectly into the volatile memory 154 at address space applicable for itto be executed by the processor without first being copied into thenon-volatile memory 152. In the embodiment described in FIG. 2, theoperating instructions 104 may be stored in a RAM image 186 that iscopied directly into the volatile memory 154 at address space applicablefor execution. This may help to expedite the process of making thereader 102 operational after retrieval of the operating instructions 104has been initiated, and may also minimize the capacity required for thenon-volatile memory 152, thereby enabling the use of less expensivehardware for the non-volatile memory 152. Further, copying the operatinginstructions 104 directly into the volatile memory 154 may help tomaintain the integrity of the operating instructions 104 by minimizingthe number of copying steps involved.

As mentioned previously, it may be desirable to minimize the capacityrequired for the non-volatile memory 152. In some embodiments, thenon-volatile memory 152 may not be sufficiently large to contain boththe boot sequence 156 and the operating instructions 104. Alternativelyor additionally, the non-volatile memory 152 may not be sufficientlylarge to contain all of the elements shown in FIG. 2, i.e., the bootsequence 156, the server address 166, the ID parameter 170, and thestart address 198, and the operating instructions 104.

The system package 146 of FIG. 2 may not include a virtual memorymanager or an operating system per se. Rather, the reader 102 of FIG. 2may be a simplified reader, which may include hardware-embeddedinstructions or the like. However, the present invention is alsoapplicable to devices such as smartphones that use software-basedoperating systems and/or memory managers. One such embodiment will beshown and described in connection with FIG. 4.

Returning to the reader 102 of FIG. 2, the non-volatile memory 152 maystore a start address 198, which may provide the address in the volatilememory 154 at which one or more elements or portions of the operatinginstructions 104 are to be loaded or placed. The start address 198 mayprovide a memory address specification indicating a physical address atwhich the operating instructions 104 may be loaded such that thephysical memory addresses of the volatile memory 154 align with theinternal memory references of the operating instructions 104. Thus, ifloaded at physical memory addresses starting at the start address 198,the operating instructions 104 may be expected to operate properly.

In some embodiments, the start address 198 may indicate the first memoryaddress at which the RAM image 186 of the operating instructions 104 isto be copied into the volatile memory 154, for example, after theoperating instructions 104 have been obtained from the configurationserver 106. The RAM image 186 may be a unified block of machine codeinstructions and data to load within predetermined physical addressspace. In alternative embodiments, the starting address 198 may insteadprovide the memory address for other elements of the operatinginstructions 104 to be stored within the volatile memory 154. In otheralternative embodiments, multiple start addresses may be stored in thenon-volatile memory 152 to ensure predictable allocation of the volatilememory 154 among multiple elements of the operating instructions 104.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operating instructions 104 that the barcodereader 102 may obtain from a configuration server 106 may include one ormore modules that direct various aspects of the operation of the reader102. For example, the operating instructions 104 may include generalinstructions 174, formatting instructions 178, image captureinstructions 180, and/or decoder instructions 182.

The general instructions 174 may include computer code that directs theoverall flow operations carried out by the reader 102 and/or determinesthe manner in which various subroutines are executed. In someembodiments, the general instructions 174 may include program code thatactivates and/or passes information between the formatting instructions178, the image capture instructions 180, the decoder instructions 182,and/or any other code stored within the operating instructions 104 orstored elsewhere in the volatile memory 154 or the non-volatile memory152. Alternatively or additionally, the general instructions 174 mayinclude configuration parameters pertinent to the various stages of theprocess of capturing a barcode image, decoding the barcode image toextract the barcode data encapsulated in the barcode image, formattingthe barcode data, and/or routing the barcode data to the desireddestination.

The formatting instructions 178 may include program code that determineshow various data are formatted and/or routed by the reader 102, and maythus be termed “formatting and routing instructions.” According to someembodiments, the formatting instructions 178 may determine how data frombarcodes are formatted and/or otherwise manipulated for transmission toa remote computing system such as the host computer 114 a, the mobilehost 114 b, and/or a separate recipient computer (not shown) connectedto any of the readers 102 via the LAN 112 and/or the Internet 124. Theformatting instructions 178 may include an interpreting system forparsing and routing decoded data. The formatting instructions 178 maycomprise Java® scripts, and if desired, may store formatting parametersand/or other formatting data such as decoded barcode image data in aformat parameters and data space 179 within the volatile memory 154.

In some embodiments, the decoded barcode data provided by the decoderinstructions 182 may take the form of a character string representativeof the data encoded in the barcode. The formatting instructions 178 mayfurther carry out formatting by adding leading and/or trailingcharacters to the character string received from the decoderinstructions 182. Alternatively or additionally, the formattinginstructions 178 may carry out other modifications to the characterstring to conduct formatting. This formatted, decoded barcode data maythen be transmitted to the remote computing device via thecommunications interface 108, as specified by the formattinginstructions 178.

The formatting instructions 178 may further include routing parametersthat indicate one or more destinations to which the decoded data are tobe routed. For example, if the decoded barcode data are to be stored ona host computer 114 a connected to the reader 102, the formattinginstructions 178 may include the network address of the host computer114 a and/or the path to the appropriate directory on the host computer114 a where the decoded data are to be stored.

The image capture instructions 180 may provide operational parameters,hardware control drivers, illumination parameters, and/or other datapertinent to the operation of the illumination system and/or the imagingsystem 132. The image capture instructions 180 may determine the mannerin which barcode images are illuminated, captured, encoded, and/orstored by the reader 102. Thus, the imaging capture instructions 180 mayinclude code for controlling the illumination system 30 and/or the imagesensor 136. For example, the image capture instructions 180 may includecode for operating the illumination system 30 to illuminate the field ofview, and code for operating the image sensor 136 to capture an image ofa barcode within the field of view during illumination. Operating theimage sensor 136 to capture an image may include initiating exposure,controlling exposure period and gain, performing read out, and storingthe captured image to volatile memory 154 by direct memory access.Execution of the image capture instructions 180 may be at leastpartially dependent on or in accordance with configuration settings ofthe reader 102.

The barcode images may be captured temporarily in an image buffer 184,and then moved into an image capture data space 181 within the volatilememory 154.

The decoder instructions 182 (also known as a “decoder”) may provideinstructions by which barcode images captured by the image sensor 136 ofthe reader 102 may be decoded to extract the barcode data theyencapsulate. The decoder instructions 182 may be used primarily by theprocessor 148, which may act as a decoder by processing the barcodeimages. The decoder instructions 182 may include code for locating anddecoding a barcode within an image captured by the image sensor 136.Execution of the decoder instructions 182 may be at least partiallydependent on or in accordance with configuration settings of the reader102, which may optionally be provided by the operating instructions 104.Data pertinent to the decoding process, such as the data generated byvarious decoding steps and/or the final decoded data, may be stored in adecoder data space 183 within the volatile memory 154.

If desired, the operating instructions 104, or portions of the operatinginstructions 104, may be included in the non-volatile memory 152 andloaded into the volatile memory 154 when the reader 102 powers up orduring boot-up. Additionally or alternatively all, or portions of, theoperating instructions 104 may be copied directly into the volatilememory 154 from the configuration server 106 or another source.

The operating instructions 104 may contain a wide variety of modules inaddition to or in the alternative to the general instructions 174, theformatting instructions 178, the image capture instructions 180, and thedecoder instructions 182 shown in FIG. 2. For example, instructions,such as drivers, for the input control 138, the display 140, thewireless LAN interface 108 a, and/or the point-to-point interface 108 bmay be included in the operating instructions 104. Alternatively, theoperating instructions 104 may include fewer elements than those thatare shown in FIG. 2. For any portion of the operating instructions 104stored in non-volatile memory 152, such portions may be updated via oneor more procedures carried out independently of the retrieval of theoperating instructions from the configuration server 106. Alternatively,these modules may be designed such that they do not require updating ormodification.

If desired, once the operating instructions 104 have been copied intothe volatile memory 154, the reader 102 may automatically execute theoperating instructions 104. Execution of the operating instructions 104obtained from configuration server 106 may be required to initiatenormal operation of the reader 102 to allow the reader 102 to readbarcodes, per the various modules of the operating instructions 104.Thus, the reader 102 may not need to reboot, power-off, and/or power-upagain between receipt of the operating instructions 104 from theconfiguration server 106 and execution of the operating instructions 104to operate the reader 102. The boot sequence 156 may only need to beexecuted once in order to prepare the reader 102 for use. This mayexpedite the process of powering up and/or updating the reader 102.

Additionally, execution of the operating instructions 104 without theneed for rebooting may help to enhance the security of the reader 102 byensuring that the operating instructions 104 from the configurationserver 106 are the instructions being executed by the reader. If thereader 102 reboots or powers off prior to execution of the operatinginstructions 104, it may present an opportunity for an unauthorizedindividual to tamper with the reader 102 in a manner that modifies theoperating instructions 104 to include malicious code or the like.

Elimination of a reboot prior to execution of the operating instructions104 may also enhance the level of control possessed by the configurationserver 106. If desired, the reader 102 may be incapable of performingcertain functions, such as receiving user input via the trigger switch142, keypad 144, or touch panel 145 capturing barcode images, decodingbarcode images, formatting decoded barcode images, and/or transmittingdecoded barcode data to the remote computing system, until the reader102 has received the operating instructions 104 from the configurationserver 106, copied them into the volatile memory 154, and executed themto commence operation of the reader 102. The operation of many readers102 may be effectively controlled and/or kept secure from a singleconfiguration server 106.

In some embodiments, the reader 102 may be capable of performing certainfunctions, but not others, prior to execution of the operatinginstructions 104 from the configuration server 106. For example, ifdesired, the image capture instructions 180 and the decoder instructions182 may be stored in the boot sequence 156 or elsewhere in thenon-volatile memory 152. Hence, the boot sequence 156 or other contentsof the non-volatile memory 152 may constitute “operating instructions”with limited capabilities for controlling the operation of the reader102. Such limited operating instructions may optionally be loaded intothe volatile memory 154 for execution as the reader 102 powers up.

These limited operating instructions may not include the formattinginstructions 178. Rather, the formatting instructions 178 may remainonly in the operating instructions 104 obtained from the remoteconfiguration server 106 as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the operatinginstructions 104 may constitute “supplemental operating instructions”that are not necessary for all operations of the reader 102, but arerequired to enable some functions of the reader 102, such as the outputof decoded barcode data from barcodes that have been read by the reader102. The full range of barcode reading, decoding, decoded dataformatting, and decoded data transmission may then be carried out by thecombination of the limited operating instructions and the supplementaloperating instructions. Division of the operating instructions in thismanner may be combined with any of the other embodiments or variationsset forth in this disclosure.

Thus, the image capture instructions 180 and the decoder instructions182 may be accessible before the operating instructions 104 have beenobtained and executed. The reader 102 may then be capable of capturingand decoding barcode images prior to execution of the operatinginstructions 104. However, the reader 102 may be incapable of formattingand/or routing the decoded barcode images without first obtaining andexecuting the operating instructions 104. Such an embodiment mayadvantageously allow the reader 102 to perform scanning operations whendisconnected from the configuration server 106. This may enablecontinued operation in the event of temporary failure or disconnectionfrom the LAN 112 and/or the Internet 124. However, the decoded barcodedata may remain secure because they still cannot be transmitted to theremote computing system without execution of the operating instructions104, including the formatting instructions 178, to ensure that thedecoded barcode data are securely routed to the proper remote computingsystem.

In some embodiments, the operating instructions 104 may be stored in thevolatile memory 154 when the volatile memory 154 is in a refresh state.Advantageously, all instances of the operating instructions 104 may bedecimated, i.e., deleted, from the reader 102 if the volatile memory 154resets or fails to refresh. Thus, the reader 102 may have executablecode (not shown) that deletes any instances of the operatinginstructions from the volatile memory 154 and/or the non-volatile memory152 when any of a number of events occurs, such as failure of thevolatile memory 154 to refresh, a reset of the volatile memory, 154,loss of power to the reader 102, and/or receipt of user input to shutdown the reader 102.

If desired, an operating system for the reader 102 may even be providedas part of the operating instructions 104. Thus, the reader 102 may beunable to read a barcode and/or perform other computing tasks until theoperating instructions 104 have been obtained from the configurationserver 106 and executed. This may provide additional security, and willbe described in more detail subsequently.

According to alternative embodiments, it may be desirable for the startaddress 198 and/or the operating system to be identified or provided byconfiguration server 106 as part of the operating instructions 104. Onesuch embodiment will be shown and described in connection with FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates a reader 102, which may have the same hardwarecomponents as the reader 102 of FIG. 2. The reader 102 may again be arelatively simple computing device, and may optionally be made tofunction only as a barcode reader.

As shown, the non-volatile memory 152 may, as in FIG. 2, contain a bootsequence 156, which may include fetch instructions 158 that determinehow the reader 202 retrieves operating instructions 104 from theconfiguration server 106. The boot sequence 156 may also includecommunication control instructions 160 such as network instructions 162and/or a TCP/IP stack 164, as described in connection with FIG. 2. Thenon-volatile memory 252 may also contain a server address 166 and an IDparameter 170, which may be similar in function to those of the reader102 of FIG. 2.

However, rather than storing the start address 198 in the non-volatilememory 152, the start address 198 may instead be identified or containedwithin a header 199 of the operating instructions 104. Thus, when theoperating instructions 104 are retrieved from the configuration server106, the start address 198 may be part of the package that is receivedby the reader 102 and copied into the volatile memory 154.

According to some embodiments, when the operating instructions 104 arereceived by the reader 102, they may first be copied into the volatilememory 154 at a first address that is different from the start address198. The first address may be an arbitrary location, from which theheader 199 can be read. The operating instructions 104 may have memoryaddresses that are referenced internally, that only align properly withthe physical addresses of the volatile memory 154 of the reader 102 whenthe operating instructions 104 are loaded into the volatile memory 154at physical memory locations starting with the start address 198.Accordingly, the operating instructions 104 may not operate properly (ormay not operate at all) when stored at physical memory locations of thevolatile memory 154 starting at the first address, and may need to bemoved to physical memory locations of the volatile memory 154 startingat the start address 198.

Accordingly, the reader 102 may receive the start address 198 from theheader 199 and may move the operating instructions 104 to the startaddress 198 from the first address at which the operating instructions104 were initially stored. The operating instructions 104 may then beexecuted from their proper location in the volatile memory 154.Execution of the operating instructions 104 may optionally be donedirectly after the operating instructions 104 have been copied to alocation of the volatile memory 154 defined by the start address 198. Asdiscussed in connection with FIG. 2, the operating instructions 104 maybe executed without requiring the reader 102 to be rebooted, poweredoff, and/or powered on.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the operating instructions 104 may alsocontain a RAM image 286 that contains an operating system 176 inaddition to the general instructions 174, the formatting instructions178, the image capture instructions 180, and the decoder instructions182 described in connection with FIG. 2. Providing the operating system176 as a part of the operating instructions 104 may prevent the reader102 from being used for reading barcodes and/or other computingfunctions until the operating instructions 104 have been received fromthe configuration server 106, loaded into the volatile memory 154, andexecuted. In such a case, execution of the operating instructions 104may optionally commence with execution of the operating system 176.

As mentioned previously, the reader 102 of FIGS. 2 and 3 may be arelatively simple device without an operating system or a memorymanager. In alternative embodiments, a reader according to the inventionmay have more sophisticated architecture, including an operating systemand/or memory manager.

One example of such a reader is shown in FIG. 4. The reader 202 of FIG.4 may be a multi-function computing device such as a smartphone,portable computer, or other microprocessor-based computing device. Thereader 202 may have a number of hardware features that are the same as,similar to, or analogous in function to those of the reader 102 of FIGS.2 and 3. More specifically, the reader 202 may have an illuminationsystem 130, an imaging system 132, input control 138 connected to userinputs such as a trigger switch 142, a keypad 144, and/or touch panel145, a display 140, a wireless LAN interface 108 a, and/or apoint-to-point interface 108 b. These elements may be connected tohardware circuits 250 of a system package 246, which may also include aprocessor 248, non-volatile memory 252, and volatile memory 254.

The reader 202 may have an operating system 276 that controls theoperation of the reader 202. The operating system 276 may be amulti-function operating system designed to control one or more otherfunctions besides barcode image capture, decoding, formatting, andrelated data transmission. According to some examples, the operatingsystem 276 may be Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, Android, Windows Mobile,Blackberry, or any other known operating system designed for computingdevices. According to other examples, the operating system 276 may benone of the foregoing, and may instead be designed specifically for thereader 202.

The processor 248 and/or the operating system 276 may have a virtualmemory manager 272 that controls the allocation of the volatile memory254. The virtual memory manager 272 may map address space frominstructions executed by the processor 248 to physical memory locationsin the volatile memory 254. The virtual memory manager 272 may be acomponent of the processor 248 as shown, or may a software or firmwarecomponent such as a part of the operating system 276 or a standaloneinstruction set residing on the non-volatile memory 252.

As in the reader 102 of FIGS. 2 and 3, the non-volatile memory 252 ofthe reader 202 may store a boot sequence 156, which may include fetchinstructions 158 that determine how the reader 202 retrieves operatinginstructions 104 from the configuration server 106. The boot sequence156 may also include communication control instructions 160 such asnetwork instructions 162 and/or a TCP/IP stack 164, as described inconnection with FIGS. 2 and 3. The non-volatile memory 252 may alsocontain a server address 166 and an ID parameter 170, which may besimilar in function to those of the reader 102 of FIGS. 2 and 3. Theoperating system 276 may be stored in the non-volatile memory 152 andloaded into the volatile memory 154 when the reader 102 powers up.

In the reader 202 of FIG. 4, the operating instructions 104 may bestored in the non-volatile memory 252 as well. The operatinginstructions 104 may contain the general instructions 174, formattinginstructions 178, image capture instructions 180, and/or decoderinstructions 182 described in connection with FIG. 2. The operatinginstructions 104 may be received from the configuration server 106 andstored in storage which may be the volatile memory 154 or thenon-volatile memory 152. The operating instructions 104 may then becopied into the volatile memory 254, at a physical location specified bythe virtual memory manager 272.

Accordingly, the start address 198 need not be stored within thenon-volatile memory 252 or the operating instructions 104. Rather, thephysical start address may be selected by the virtual memory manager272. The start address may, if desired, be selected to enable the reader202 to read barcodes in conjunction with one or more other applicationswith data stored in the volatile memory 254 to enable them to run on thereader 202.

In some embodiments, the reader 202 may be powered up and the bootsequence 156 may then be executed to fetch the operating instructions104 from the configuration server 106. The non-volatile memory 252 maystill have the operating instructions 104 that were fetched during theprevious execution of the boot sequence 156. These may be overwritten bythe new instance of the operating instructions 104, which may then becopied into the volatile memory 256 for execution. In this manner, eachtime the reader 202 powers up, the operating instructions 104 may berefreshed. The boot sequence 156 may provide the address space (forexample, the start address) in the non-volatile memory 252 to which theoperating instructions 104 are to be copied.

Alternatively or additionally, the new operating instructions 104 may becopied into a different location in the non-volatile memory 252 fromthat occupied by the old operating instructions 104 so that both sets ofoperating instructions 104 can be maintained simultaneously on thenon-volatile memory 252. The boot sequence 156 may then includeinstructions to determine which instance of the operating instructions104 should be used. It may be advantageous to use the new instance ofthe operating instructions 104 for reasons set forth above; however, itmay also be advantageous to provide the reader 202 with a method ofverifying the new operating instructions 104 so that, if the newoperating instructions 104 are incomplete, non-functional, and/or showevidence of tampering, the old operating instructions 104 can instead beused.

In either case, the boot sequence 156 may optionally includeinstructions (not shown) that make the reader 202 incapable ofperforming certain functions controlled by the limited operatinginstructions until the operating instructions 104 have been received andexecuted. These operating instructions 104 may only be required to carryout certain functions of the reader 202, and may thus be “supplementaloperating instructions,” as described previously. In some embodiments,the reader 202 may be incapable of reading barcodes, decoding barcodes,formatting decoded barcode data, and/or transmitting decoded barcodedata to the remote computing system until the operating instructions 104have been received, stored, and executed.

In some embodiments, the operating instructions 104 may not be fetcheduntil a configuration event distinct from power-up of the reader 102occurs. For example, the reader 202 may be powered up, and the operatingsystem 276 may be loaded into the volatile memory 254 and executed. Iflimited operating instructions are used to enable some barcode readingfunctions, these may also be loaded into the volatile memory 254 andexecuted. However, the supplemental operating instructions (i.e., theoperating instructions 104) may not be fetched from the configurationserver 106 until a configuration event is detected, for example, by theoperating system 276 or the limited operating instructions. Such aconfiguration even may include an attempt by the user to read a barcode,decode a barcode, format decoded barcode data, and/or transmit decodedbarcode data. Alternatively or additionally, such a configuration eventmay be detection of communications between the reader 202 and aninsecure or unverified computing device, receipt of a push notificationfrom the configuration server 106 (for example, notification of theavailability of a new version of the operating instructions 104),passage of a predetermined period of time, the capture of apredetermined quantity of barcodes, or the like.

Once the configuration event is detected, the operating instructions 104may be fetched from the remote configuration server, copied into thevolatile memory 254, and executed. In some embodiments, detection ofsuch a configuration event may cause the reader 202 to cease any barcodereading functionality before the operating instructions 104 areobtained. For example, if the limited operating instructions provide theability to read barcodes, detection of a configuration event may preventfurther barcodes from being read until the operating instructions 104have been received, stored, and executed. If the limited operatinginstructions provide the ability to transmit decoded barcode data, suchtransmission may be stopped upon detection of a configuration event,until the operating instructions 104 have been received, stored, andexecuted.

FIG. 5 illustrates some aspects of an embodiment of a configurationserver 106 (either the local configuration server 106 a or the remoteconfiguration server 106 b). The configuration server 106 includes anetwork interface 188. The network interface 188 may enable the localconfiguration server 106 a to be identified as an addressable endpointon a LAN, either the LAN 112 in the system 100 shown in FIG. 1 (e.g., ifthe configuration server 106 is a local configuration server 106 a) oranother LAN that is connected to the Internet 124 (e.g., if theconfiguration server 106 is a remote configuration server 106 b).

The configuration server 106 also includes a processor 190 andmemory/storage 192 in electronic communication with the processor 190.Instructions 194 are stored in the memory/storage 192. The instructions194 are executable by the processor 190 to cause the configurationserver 106 to perform some or all of the operations that are shown inFIGS. 8, 9, 10 and/or 11 and that will be described in connectiontherewith.

The memory/storage 192 of the configuration server 106 may also includeone or more sets of operating instructions 104, as well as one or moreidentification parameters, or ID parameters 170. Each ID parameter 170may be associated with one or more sets of operating instructions 104.As will be described in greater detail below, when the configurationserver 106 receives an ID parameter 170, the configuration server 106may identify the operating instructions 104 that correspond to (or areassociated with) the ID parameter 170 and return those operatinginstructions 104 to the requesting entity. The operating instructions104 that are appropriate for each reader 102 or reader 202 may depend onthe operating requirements of the reader 102 or 202.

According to one example, multiple sets of operating instructions 104may be provided in order to satisfy different requirements forformatting the data decoded by the reader 102 or the reader 202. Forexample, a retail outlet and a shipping company may both utilizebarcodes that can be supplied with operating instructions 104 accordingto the invention. However, the shipping company may encode differentdata in its barcodes than that encoded by the retail outlet; hence, theymay need different sets of operating instructions 104 in order toprovide the necessary formatting of the decoded data. Similarly,multiple sets of operating instructions 104 may be needed to providedifferent decoder functions that match the barcode encoding schemesand/or encoding formats of each company, thereby enabling decoding to beproperly carried out by each of the readers 102.

According to another example, multiple sets of operating instructions104 may be provided in order to enable decoded data to be routeddifferently. Returning to the example of the shipping company and theretail outlet, the retail outlet may route decoded data to a hostcomputer 114 a connected to the corresponding reader 102, while theshipping company may route data to a server located remotely from thereader 102. Thus, different sets of operating instructions 104 may beneeded in order to provide the required routing of the decoded data.

According to another example, multiple sets of operating instructions104 may be provided in order to satisfy differing hardware requirements.For example, different readers 102, 202 may have different hardwarecomponents such as the illumination system 130, the imaging system 132,the input control 138, trigger switch 142, keypad 144, touch panel 145,display 140, wireless LAN interface 108 a, and/or the point-to-pointinterface 108 b. Each set of operating instructions 104 may have thedrivers and/or other software needed to control the operation of itsvarious hardware components. Thus, readers 102, 202 with differentimaging systems 132 may have different sets of operating instructions104. As set forth previously, each set of operating instructions may beassociated with the ID parameter 170, which may be used to select theoperating instructions 104 needed to properly operate the hardware ofthe reader 102, 202.

The ID parameter 170 may have numbers, letters, or other indicators thatare associated with particular readers 102, 202, particular hardwarecomponents of readers 102, 202 as set forth above, particular encodingformats in which barcodes are encoded, particular data formats in whichthe decoded data are to be provided, particular barcode types that areto be read with the reader 102, 202, and/or the like. If desired, the IDparameter 170 may include multiple such identifiers, and may thusdirectly indicate multiple aspects of the configuration and/or operationof the associated reader 102, 202. Alternatively, the ID parameter 170may instead be arbitrary, and the configuration server 106 may use alookup table or other database function to determine the appropriateoperating instructions 104 for the reader 102, 202 from multiple sets ofoperating instructions 104 stored on the configuration server 106.

FIG. 6 illustrates some aspects of an embodiment of a host device 114(either the host computer 114 a or the mobile host 114 b). The hostdevice 114 includes a point-to-point interface 108 b. The host device114 also includes a network interface 118. The network interface 118 maybe a wireless LAN interface 118 a (e.g., if the host device 114 is ahost computer 114 a that is an addressable endpoint on the LAN 112) or awireless WAN interface 118 b (e.g., if the host device 114 is a mobilehost 114 b).

The host device 114 also includes a processor 191 and memory 193 inelectronic communication with the processor 191. Instructions 196 arestored in the memory 193. The instructions 196 are executable by theprocessor 191 to cause the host device 114 to perform some or all of theoperations that are shown in FIGS. 10 and/or 11 and that will bedescribed in connection therewith.

As indicated above, the reader 102 may store the server address 166 andthe ID parameter 170 in non-volatile memory 152. Alternatively oradditionally, the server address 166 and the ID parameter 170 may bestored by the host device 114 instead of (or in addition to) the reader102. The host device 114 may use the server address 166 to connect to aremote server, either a configuration server 106 or a redirect server168. The host device 114 may use the ID parameter 170 to requestoperating instructions 104 from the configuration server 106.

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary operation of the reader 102, as describedin connection with FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 and/or operation of the reader 202as described in connection with FIG. 4. FIG. 8 illustrates exemplaryoperation of the reader 102 as described in connection with FIG. 2 orFIG. 3 and/or the reader 202 as described in connection with FIG. 4, anda configuration server 106. FIGS. 7 and 8 both relate to a scenario inwhich the reader 102 includes a wireless LAN interface 108 a and obtainsoperating instructions 104 via its network connection to theconfiguration server 106.

Step 203 of FIG. 7 represents operating the boot sequence 156. Operatingthe boot sequence 156 may include loading the fetch instructions 158from the non-volatile memory 152 to the volatile memory 154. In anembodiment in which the reader 102 includes a wireless LAN interface 108a, operating the boot sequence 156 may also include initializing thewireless LAN interface 108 a, connecting to the LAN 112, and commencingTCP/IP communications.

Step 204 (shown in both FIGS. 7 and 8) represents detecting theoccurrence of a configuration event, which can be any event that isdefined to require the reader 102 to obtain operating instructions 104.The Boot up may be a configuration event. In addition to boot up,configuration events may be defined based on certain times, certainlocations, changing users, an event being sent down from a server suchas the configuration server 106, etc. A list of such configurationevents (not shown) may be stored, for example, in the non-volatilememory 152 and/or the non-volatile memory 252. Alternatively oradditionally, executable code (not shown) that causes the processor 148or the processor 248 to continuously or periodically check for theoccurrence of such a configuration event and then, in response, initiatefetching of the operating instructions 104 from the remote configurationserver 106 b, may be stored in the non-volatile memory 152 and/or thenon-volatile memory 252.

Step 206 may be performed in response to detecting the configurationevent. Step 206 represents the reader 102 obtaining the ID parameter 170from the non-volatile memory 152, connecting to a remote server (eithera configuration server 106 or a redirect server 168) located at theserver address 166, and providing the ID parameter 170 to the remoteserver via the network connection. The reader 102 may utilize thewireless LAN interface 108 a to connect to the remote server and toprovide the ID parameter 170 to the remote server.

Referring to FIG. 8, if the server at the server address 166 is aconfiguration server 106 that provides the operating instructions 104,step 208 represents the configuration server 106 identifying theoperating instructions 104 that are associated with the ID parameter170, and step 210 represents returning the operating instructions 104 tothe reader 102.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 9, if the server at the server address166 is not itself a configuration server 106 that provides the operatinginstructions 104 but instead is a redirect server 168 that identifies tothe reader 102 an address for a configuration server 106, step 206represents the reader 102 connecting to the redirect server 168 andproviding the ID parameter 170 to the redirect server 168. Step 212represents the redirect server 168 looking up the address (e.g., theURL) of a configuration server 106 that will support the reader 102.This may include using the ID parameter 170 sent by the reader 102 tolook up the address of a particular configuration server 106 that cansupport the reader 102. Step 214 represents the redirect server 168returning the address of the configuration server 106 (which may bereferred to as a redirect address) to the reader 102.

Step 218 (FIG. 7) represents the reader 102 obtaining a response to theconnection it established at step 206. This response may include eitherthe operating instructions 104 from a configuration server 106 or aredirect address from a redirect server 168. In the event a redirectaddress is obtained, the reader 102 repeats step 206 but with theconnection being to the redirect address provided by the redirect server168.

When, at step 218, operating instructions 104 are received, theoperating instructions 104 may be loaded into volatile memory 154 atstep 220. At step 222, control may be passed to the operatinginstructions 104 at an appropriate time. For example, control may bepassed to the operating instructions 104 when calling the decoderinstructions 182 to attempt decode of an image or when calling theformatting instructions 178 for processing of decoded data.

Although FIG. 9 depicts the redirect server 168 providing the address ofthe configuration server 106 such that the loop-back and repeat of steps206, 218 (FIG. 7) occurs only once, it should be appreciated that theloop-back could occur multiple times if a first redirect server 168provides an address of a second redirect server 168, which in turn mayprovide an address of a third redirect server 168 or a configurationserver 106. The architecture described does not limit how many redirectsare made before the reader 102 reaches a configuration server 106capable of providing the operating instructions 104.

If the communication interface 108 is a point-to-point interface 108 b(wired or wireless), the reader 102 may obtain network access throughthe point-to-point interface 108 b with the corresponding host device114 functioning as a network gateway for the reader 102. Operation ofthe reader 102 is very similar to the operation discussed with respectto the wireless LAN interface 108 a, with the difference being that thepoint-to-point interface 108 b is used instead of the wireless LANinterface 108 a.

When a point-to-point connection 116 is used to obtain the operatinginstructions 104 for the reader 102, the reader 102 does not necessarilyneed to know how to contact the server (configuration server 106 orredirect server 168) to obtain the operating instructions 104. The hostdevice 114 to which the reader 102 is connected (e.g., the host computer114 a or the mobile host 114 b) may perform the steps necessary toobtain the operating instructions 104 for the reader 102. Morespecifically the host device 114, not the reader 102, may be theaddressable network endpoint on the LAN 112 and may perform all TCP/IPcommunications. The server address 166 and the ID parameter 170 may bestored locally on the host device 114 (as shown in FIG. 6), or anapplication running on the host device 114 may obtain these from thereader 102.

FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary operation of the reader 102 and a hostdevice 114 (e.g., the host computer 114 a or the mobile host 114 b) in ascenario in which the reader 102 includes a point-to-point interface 108b and obtains operating instructions 104 via a point-to-point connection116 to a host device 114, where the host device 114 communicates withthe configuration server 106 via a network.

Step 302 represents the reader 102 establishing a point-to-pointconnection 116 with a host device 114 via the point-to-point interfaces108 b. Step 304 represents detecting the occurrence of a configurationevent.

Step 306 may be performed in response to detecting the configurationevent. Step 306 represents the reader 102 sending a message to the hostdevice 114 via the point-to-point connection 116. The message mayinclude a request to obtain operating instructions 104 for the reader102. The request may enable the host device 114 to determine that thereader 102 is in a state in which the reader 102 requires the operatinginstructions 104. Receiving the request may entail determining that thereader 102 lacks the operating instructions 104, as when the operatinginstructions are only stored within the volatile memory 154 of thereader 102 and the configuration event is powering up of the reader 102with no operating instructions 104 in the volatile memory 154 or in thenon-volatile memory 152. Alternatively or additionally, receiving therequest may mean that the operating instructions 104 are present in thereader 102, but are out-of-date, potentially compromised, or otherwisein need of replacement. Conversely, receiving decoded barcode data fromthe reader 102 and/or receiving an associated configuration parametermay entail determining that the reader 102 has the required operatinginstructions 104.

As part of the request, the reader 102 may obtain the ID parameter 170from the non-volatile memory 152 and provide the ID parameter 170 to thehost device 114. The reader 102 may utilize the point-to-point interface108 b to send the request and provide the ID parameter 170 to the hostdevice 114 via the point-to-point connection 116. Alternatively, the IDparameter 170 may be stored by the host device 114, and the reader 102may send the request to the host device 114 without sending the IDparameter 170.

Step 308 represents the host device 114 obtaining the server address 166and using its network interface 118 to connect to a remote server(either a configuration server 106 or a redirect server 168) that islocated at the server address 166. The server address 166 may be storedby the host device 114. Step 308 also represents the host device 114providing the ID parameter 170 to the remote server.

If the server at the server address 166 is a configuration server 106that provides the operating instructions 104, step 310 represents theconfiguration server 106 looking up the operating instructions 104 thatcorrespond to the ID parameter 170, step 312 represents theconfiguration server 106 returning the operating instructions 104 to thehost device 114, and step 314 represents the host device 114 returningthe operating instructions 104 to the reader 102 via the point-to-pointconnection 116. The reader 102 may receive the operating instructions104 via the point-to-point interface 108 b. The reader 102 may then loadthe operating instructions 104 into the volatile memory 154 as set forthabove, execute them, and transmit to the host device 114, over thepoint-to-point interface 108 b, decoded barcode data from one or morebarcodes within the field-of-view of the imaging system 132 of thereader 102.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 11, if the server at the server address166 is not itself a configuration server 106 that provides the operatinginstructions 104 but instead is a redirect server 168, step 316represents the redirect server 168 looking up the address for theconfiguration server 106 that will support the reader 102. This mayinclude using the ID parameter 170 sent by the host device 114 to lookup the address of a particular configuration server 106 that can supportthe reader 102. Step 318 represents returning the address of theconfiguration server 106 to the host device 114.

FIGS. 7-11 relate to methods carried out with a reader 102 like that ofFIGS. 2 and 3. Usage of a reader 202 like that of FIG. 4 may be similarto that set forth above, with a few exceptions. For example, with areader 202, the step 203 of FIG. 7 may include loading the operatingsystem 276 into the volatile memory 254. This may be done, for example,when the reader 202 is booted up or powered on. If desired, this may bedone immediately prior to the time the fetch instructions 158 are loadedinto the volatile memory 254.

Further, as mentioned in the description of FIG. 4, the operatinginstructions 104 may optionally be copied to the non-volatile memory 252after they have been obtained from the configuration server 106. Theoperating instructions 104 may then be copied into the appropriatephysical location within the volatile memory 254 with the aid of thevirtual memory manager 272. Thus, the step 220 of FIG. 7 may include oneor more copying and/or loading steps.

After performance of the steps set forth in FIGS. 7-11, the reader 102,202 may be ready for use in reading barcodes and transmitting theresulting decoded data to the remote computing system. This may becarried out through the use of the operating instructions 104, which maybe used to control the reader 102, 202. Alternatively or additionally,code from the non-volatile memory 152, 252 may be used in the process ofreading barcodes, decoding barcodes, and/or transmitting decoded data.According to one embodiment, the operating instructions 104 may be usedto drive the process of reading the barcode, decoding the barcode data,and formatting the barcode data (for example, with the image captureinstructions 180, the decoder instructions 182, and the formattinginstructions 178, respectively), and then the communication controlinstructions 160 may be used to facilitate transmission of the decodeddata to the remote computing system.

The operating instructions 104 may be programmed, compiled, and linkedin such a manner that they function properly in the physical locationsin which they reside in the volatile memory 154 of the reader 102 and/orthe volatile memory 254 of the reader 202. This will be shown anddescribed in connection with FIGS. 12-15, as follows.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary method for generating executable files410 which may comprise operating instructions 104. The executable files410 may be loaded into non-volatile memory (for example, within thememory/storage 192 of the configuration server 106). From thenon-volatile memory, the executable files 410 may be loaded intovolatile memory of the reader (after being provided to the reader) andexecuted therefrom, as set forth above the description of the reader 102of FIGS. 2 and 3 and the reader 202 of FIG. 4. The method may commencewith the generation of source code 400, for example, three components ofthe source code 400, labeled source code A 400 a, source code B 400 b,and source code C 400 c.

Source code processing steps may be defined using text-based commandsand named variables with syntax applicable to the programming languageused (for example, C++, Java, etc.). A programmer working withtext-based commands and named variables in source code may not specifysuch matters as the location within reader memory at which theexecutable code will be loaded, processor and memory locations forread/write commands, and memory locations at which variables and dataare stored. Hence, the source code 400 may not include such information.

A compiler 402 may be used to compile each portion of the source code400 a, 400 b, 400 c to produce assembly language code 404, or morespecifically, assembly language code A 404 a, assembly language code B404 b, and assembly language code C 404 c, respectively. Each of theassembly language codes 404 may implement the text-based commands of thecorresponding source code 400 using sequences of memory read/writecommands, mathematical computations, and/or Boolean logic computationsfor variable value and data management consistent with the commandswithin the corresponding source code 400. Each of the assembly languagecodes 404 may have certain functions that interact with functions of theother assembly language codes 404 for purposes of operation.

In order to generate the executable files 410, the assembly languagecode 404 may be linked using a linker 406, which may utilize a linkerdescription file 408 to carry out the linking process. The linkerdescription file 408 may describe locations within addressable memory tobe assigned to portions of each assembly language code 404 and/orlocations within addressable memory for variables and data. The linker406 may use the linker description file 408 to build the executable file410 with consistent memory addresses being associated with the variousread/write commands, mathematical computations, and Boolean logiccomputations such that each memory address specified within the codeappropriately links to the appropriate start of the intended processingsteps or data values.

In one embodiment, the executable files 410 may include a RAM image suchas the RAM image 186 of FIG. 2. Such a RAM image may be, for example,firmware for an embedded system device. The linker description file 408may specify address locations within the hardware-specific physicalmemory of the embedded system device such that the RAM image, whenloaded at the specified location (start address 198) within addressablephysical memory, will execute.

Referring to FIG. 13, exemplary steps are shown for loading executablefiles into volatile memory such as the volatile memory 154 of the reader102 or the volatile memory 254 of the reader 202. In the example of FIG.13, the executable files 410 may include position-dependent andposition-independent executable files 410 b.

The RAM image executable file 410 a may be used in conjunction with anembedded system device, and may thus be suitable for the reader 102 ofFIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 13, the RAM image executable file 410 amay be loaded into the memory (for example, into the volatile memory 154of the reader 102) by loading it into a specific physical addresslocation in the step 414 a. This may, for example, be the start address198 specified in the non-volatile memory 152 (FIG. 2) or the header 199of the operating instructions (FIG. 3). To enable this functionality,the linker 406 may link the corresponding assembly language code 404 ain a manner that enables the RAM image executable file 410 a to executeproperly when loaded into volatile memory in this manner.

This is represented by the block diagram of FIG. 14. The step 414 arepresents loading the RAM image executable file 410 a into the volatilememory (for example, the volatile memory 154 of the reader 102) at thephysical address space that aligns with the linked addresses within theRAM image executable file 410 a, as shown in FIG. 14. Thus, a processor(such as the processor 148 of FIG. 2), when performing its read/writecommands, mathematical computations, and/or Boolean logic computationsper the instructions and memory addresses specified in the RAM imageexecutable file 410 a, will perform the programmed operations. If theRAM image executable file were loaded at any other address space otherthan in alignment with the linked addresses within the RAM imageexecutable file 410 a, the RAM image executable file 410 a may notexecute because, for example, when a memory address within the RAM imageexecutable file 410 a is specified for reading a particular variable,the variable would not be at the specified address.

Returning to FIG. 13, the position-independent executable file 410 b maymore suitable for devices with an operating system and/or a memorymanager in which multiple executable files must be loaded into volatilememory for execution, such as the reader 202 of FIG. 4. Thus, as shownin FIG. 13, the position-independent executable file 410 b may be loadedinto the memory (for example, the volatile memory 254 of the reader 202)under the control of a memory manager, such as the virtual memorymanager 272 of FIG. 4 in the step 414 b. The virtual memory manager 272may determine the optimal location for the position-independentexecutable file 410 b within the volatile memory 254 based on what otherexecutable files and/or data are residing in the volatile memory 254 atthe time the position-independent executable file 410 b is copied intothe volatile memory 254.

To enable this functionality, the linker 406 may link the correspondingassembly language code (i.e., assembly language code B 404 b) in amanner that enables the position-independent executable file 410 b toexecute properly when loaded into volatile memory in this manner. Moreprecisely, the linker description file 408 may describe, for aposition-independent executable such as the position-independentexecutable file 410 b, reference locations within a reference block ofmemory addresses. This may include indicating “x bytes commencing ataddress C004-0000” or the like.

If the position-independent executable file 410 b were loaded at aphysical address space that aligned with the reference address space,the position-independent executable file 410 b would execute. However,position-independent code is particularly useful when multipleexecutables, each of which reference the same address space, arerequired. A memory manager, such as the virtual memory manager 272, mayenable the position-independent executable file 410 b to be loaded at aphysical memory location that is inconsistent with the linked addresseswithin the position-independent executable file 410 b. The virtualmemory manager 272 may maintain data descriptive of the differencesbetween the reference memory addresses of the position-independentexecutable file 410 b and the corresponding physical memory addresses atwhich the position-independent executable file 410 b is loaded forexecution.

This is represented by the block diagram of FIG. 15. Theposition-independent executable file 410 b may be placed volatilememory, for example, in the volatile memory 254 of the reader 202 ofFIG. 4, at a physical location different from that of its referencememory address. Other executable files 420 a and 420 b may also beloaded into the volatile memory 254, and may have the same referencememory addresses. The virtual memory manager 272 may enable them tocoexist harmoniously in the volatile memory 254 by determining anappropriate offset between the reference memory addresses and thecorresponding physical addresses, and placing them at different physicalmemory addresses according to the offsets.

As used herein, the terms “determining” and “obtaining” encompass a widevariety of actions and, therefore, “determining” and “obtaining” caninclude calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating,looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another datastructure), ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” and“obtaining” can include receiving (e.g., receiving information),accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also,“determining” and “obtaining” can include resolving, selecting,choosing, establishing and the like.

As used herein, the phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on,”unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “basedon” describes both “based only on” and “based at least on.”

One or more of the features, functions, procedures, operations,components, elements, structures, etc., described in connection with anyone of the configurations described herein may be combined with one ormore of the functions, procedures, operations, components, elements,structures, etc., described in connection with any of the otherconfigurations described herein, where compatible.

The steps and/or actions of the methods described herein may beinterchanged with one another without departing from the scope of theclaims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions isrequired for proper operation of the method that is being described, theorder and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modifiedwithout departing from the scope of the claims.

The claims are not limited to the specific implementations describedabove. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in thearrangement, operation and details of the implementations describedherein without departing from the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A barcode reader for providing decoded data to aremote computing system, the barcode reader comprising: an image sensorconfigured to capture an image of a barcode within a field of view;non-volatile memory comprising first firmware; volatile memory; acommunication interface for output of the decoded data to the remotecomputing system; a processor commencing operation of the barcodereader, upon bootup, by: loading the first firmware from thenon-volatile memory to the volatile memory for execution; executing thefirst firmware to obtain second firmware from a remote configurationserver via the communication interface and loading the second firmwareto the volatile memory for execution; and executing, without rebooting,a combination of both the first firmware and the second firmware tooperate the barcode reader and providing decoded data to the remotecomputing system via the communication interface.
 2. The barcode readerof claim 1, wherein the barcode reader is incapable of providing thedecoded data to the remote computing system after power-up of thebarcode reader and prior to executing the second firmware obtained fromthe remote configuration server to commence operation of the barcodereader.
 3. The barcode reader of claim 2, wherein the non-volatilememory is smaller than the size of a combination of the first firmwareand the second firmware.
 4. The barcode reader of claim 1, wherein: thenon-volatile memory further comprises a boot sequence; the processorfurther executes the boot sequence directly from the non-volatile memoryto initiate communication between the processor and the volatile memorybefore executing the first firmware; and the processor executes thesecond firmware to commence operation of the barcode reader without theprocessor being required to re-execute the boot sequence.
 5. The barcodereader of claim 4, wherein the processor further: detects the occurrenceof a configuration event from a set of defined configuration events; andutilizes the communication interface to obtain the second firmware fromthe remote configuration server in response to detecting theconfiguration event.
 6. The barcode reader of claim 4, wherein: theprocessor, executing the first firmware, further provides anidentification parameter to the remote configuration server; and thesecond firmware is selected from multiple distinct versions of secondfirmware, the second firmware being selected based on operatingrequirements of the barcode reader which are associated with theidentification parameter, the second firmware comprising instructionsfor formatting the decoded data for output to the remote computingsystem.
 7. The barcode reader of claim 6, wherein the second firmwareincludes a decoder, the decoder being instructions executed by theprocessor to obtain the decoded data from the image of the barcodecaptured by the image sensor.
 8. The barcode reader of claim 7, whereinthe second firmware further includes instructions necessary to drive theimage sensor to capture the image of the barcode within the field ofview.
 9. The barcode reader of claim 4, wherein: the non-volatile memoryfurther comprises an identification parameter; the processor, executingthe first firmware, further utilizes the communication interface totransfer the identification parameter to the remote configurationserver; and the second firmware is selected from multiple distinctversions of second firmware based on the identification parameter. 10.The barcode reader of claim 9, wherein the second firmware comprisesinstructions for formatting the decoded data for output to the remotecomputing system, the second firmware being selected from multipledistinct versions of second firmware based on requirements forformatting the decoded data, the requirements being associated with theidentification parameter.
 11. The barcode reader of claim 10, wherein:the barcode reader further comprises an image sensor for capturing animage of a barcode within a field of view; the second firmware includesa decoder, the decoder being instructions executed by the processor toobtain the decoded data from the image of the barcode captured by theimage sensor; and the second firmware is selected from multiple distinctversions of second firmware based on requirements for decoding data frombarcodes of certain formats, the requirements being associated with theidentification parameter.
 12. The barcode reader of claim 11, wherein:the second firmware further includes instructions necessary to drive theimage sensor to capture the image of the barcode within the field ofview; and the second firmware is selected from multiple distinctversions of second firmware based on requirements for driving the imagesensor, the requirements being associated with the identificationparameter.
 13. A barcode reader for providing decoded data to a remotecomputing system, the barcode reader comprising: barcode readinghardware, the barcode reading hardware comprising an image sensor and aprocessor which captures an image of a barcode within a field of viewand provides decoded data from the barcode to a remote computing systemonly when the processor executes, without rebooting, firmware for thebarcode reading hardware which the processor obtains from a remoteconfiguration server upon power up of the barcode reader; and a volatilememory storing the firmware obtained from the remote configurationserver so long as the volatile memory remains in a refresh state andwherein all instances of the firmware on the barcode reader aredecimated with no instances remaining on the barcode reader when thevolatile memory resets or fails to refresh.
 14. The barcode reader ofclaim 13, wherein: the barcode reader further comprises a non-volatilememory comprising first executable code; and the processor furtherexecutes the first executable code to drive a communication interface toobtain the firmware from the remote configuration server.
 15. Thebarcode reader of claim 14, wherein: the processor, executing the firstexecutable code, further provides an identification parameter to theremote configuration server; and the firmware is selected from multipledistinct versions of firmware based on operating requirements of thebarcode reader which are associated with the identification parameter,the firmware comprising instructions for formatting decoded data foroutput to the remote computing system.
 16. The barcode reader of claim15, wherein the firmware further includes a decoder, the decoder beinginstructions executed by the processor to obtain decoded data from theimage of the barcode captured by the image sensor, the firmware beingselected from multiple distinct versions of firmware based onrequirements for decoding data from barcodes of certain formats, therequirements being associated with the identification parameter.
 17. Thebarcode reader of claim 16, wherein the firmware further includesinstructions necessary to drive the image sensor to capture the image ofthe barcode within the field of view, the firmware being selected frommultiple distinct versions of firmware based on requirements for drivingthe image sensor, the requirements being associated with theidentification parameter.
 18. The barcode reader of claim 14, wherein:the non-volatile memory further comprises an identification parameter;the processor, executing the first executable code, further utilizes thecommunication interface to transfer the identification parameter to theremote configuration server; and the firmware is selected from multipledistinct versions of firmware based on the identification parameter. 19.The barcode reader of claim 18, wherein the firmware comprisesinstructions for formatting the decoded data for output to the remotecomputing system, the firmware being selected from multiple distinctversions of firmware based on requirements for formatting decoded data,the requirements being associated with the identification parameter. 20.The barcode reader of claim 19, wherein: the firmware includes adecoder, the decoder being instructions executed by the processor toobtain the decoded data from the image of the barcode captured by theimage sensor; and the firmware is selected from multiple distinctversions of firmware based on requirements for decoding data frombarcodes of certain formats, the requirements being associated with theidentification parameter.
 21. The barcode reader of claim 20, wherein:the firmware further includes instructions necessary to drive the imagesensor to capture the image of the barcode within the field of view; andthe firmware is selected from multiple distinct versions of firmwarebased on requirements for driving the image sensor, the requirementsbeing associated with the identification parameter.